Savannah Police Lt. Daniel Zeigler has been charged with animal abuse after leaving his K-9 officer, Horus, in a hot car overnight in June, resulting in the dog’s death. Zeigler called the police chief to report the death, attributing it to heat exposure. Witnesses reported seeing the deceased dog near the vehicle as Zeigler looked distressed and stated the death was his fault. Investigators found that the police vehicle had a working AceK9 system that would have needed to be manually turned off to cause Horus’ death. Community members demanded justice for Horus, citing a previous incident where another K-9 officer in the department, Lyda, died due to accidental hanging in 2001.
Horus joined the Savannah Police Department in February 2021 and had received training for eight weeks before his untimely death. The police department expressed sadness and anger over the incident, highlighting Horus’ positive impact on the department and the community. A donor paid for a permanent marker for Horus, whose resting place is a work in progress. Zeigler admitted to incorrectly thinking he had brought the dog inside, leading to the tragic outcome. The case is currently under investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and community members continue to advocate for justice for Horus and accountability for those responsible.
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