Turbo was a faithful and valued K9 officer of the Columbia SC PD. His handler, Officer Hurt, unfortunately left him in a vehicle during 90+ degree weather for at least 6 hours with out checking on him and no heat alarm on. Unfortunately Turbo succombed to heat stroke and was euthanized due to organ failure.

Officer Hurt has ONLY been suspended for 5 days and will no longer be able to be a dog handler. This is OUTRAGEOUS. If I, or any other citizen had done this, I would have been charged as a criminal.

Officer Hurt knowingly left his partner in the vehicle with out checking on him while other officers made sure to check on their K9s. He knowingly left the vehicle without the heat alarm on. There is no way he left sufficient water for an animal in a hot environment for that amount of time nor did he provide sufficient shelter for his K9 in those conditions.

I petition that Officer Hurt be charged as any other citizen would with animal abuse. I also would like to see him removed as a LEO as his negligence and disregard for life is unbecoming of an officer of the law.