Ohio police dog dies in overheated patrol car

MERCER COUNTY, Ohio. -- A police dog is a dead after spending hours in an overheated cop cruiser, and this isn't the first time for the Ohio sheriff's department.

It's the second dog death within the last three years. The sheriff said Zak suffered from a pre-existing heart condition, but it's believed he was overcome by the heat.

Officers said Zak usually stayed inside the building or was left in a cruiser with the AC running.

Deputies say, when his handler found him dead in his cruiser, the AC was off.

"I don't know why we had the dog in the car, you know? Why the dog wasn't left at home." said Sheriff Jeff Grey.

The sheriff's office is suspending the K-9 program until further notice.