New Orleans Police Officer Sentenced in Dog’s Death

A New Orleans police officer pleaded guilty to misdemeanor animal cruelty charges in connection with the death of his police dog. Officer Jason Lewis left the dog, a 6-year-old Belgian Malnois named Primo, locked in a police car last summer.  Primo died after receiving treatment at the Southeast Veterinary Clinic in Metairie, a New Orleans suburb. 

According to WDSU.com, a necropsy report determined that Primo died from heat exhaustion and had suffered at least three seizures after his body temperature reached more than 108 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lewis was sentenced to a six-month suspended jail sentence, six months of probation and $12,000 restitution to cover the cost of a replacement police dog.

Lewis had previously argued that K9 police vehicles are designed so dogs can be left unsupervised for long periods of time. His attorney, Townsend Myers, said in a statement that “The fact that this animal was left in a vehicle by itself is not indicative of any negligence.”

It was not specified, however, how long Primo was left unattended in the car, if he was given potty breaks, if the air conditioning was running or if the windows were cracked. It is generally known that animals can easily overheat in locked cars, even on mildly warm days or when the windows are cracked.

“We see this case as a result of a good team effort between multiple agencies and departments cooperating to see justice served for Primo,” said Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson. “We also thank the Orleans District Attorney’s Office for aggressively pursuing the matter to its rightful conclusion.”

Photos of the inside of Lewis’ police car created a controversy last summer after their release to the public. The photos depict the front seats of the cruiser torn to shreds and reduced to yellow foam. It is believed that Primo ripped apart the car in an attempt to escape.

Lewis isn’t the only New Orleans officer facing animal charges. In a second case, Sgt. Randy Lewis (no relation to Jason Lewis), was charged with official misconduct for allowing his police dog, Phantom, to fall down an elevator shaft and then leaving the body. Lewis was working an off-duty, private security detail at the abandoned Charity Hospital building when the accident happened.

PHOTO: NOLA.com