Sebastian K-9 handler faces animal cruelty charge in dog's hot-car death

Sebastian, a Melbourne police K-9 that died in hot car

By WFTV Web Staff

MELBOURNE, Fla. — An investigation into the death of a K-9 officer in the Sebastian Police Department has led to a criminal charge.

The K-9’s handler reported finding the dog, Diesel, dead in the back of a patrol vehicle outside the handler's Melbourne home.

[ Read: K-9 dies after being left in Sebastian officer's vehicle outside Melbourne home, police say ]

The Melbourne Police Department investigated and recommended a charge of animal cruelty.

The case was sent to the state attorney’s office.

Diesel had been part of the Sebastian Police Department for about a year.