‘Heartbroken’ Cocoa police investigating after K-9 found dead in patrol car
Cocoa FL June 25 2021 The Cocoa Police Department is investigating after one of its patrol dogs was found dead in a police car in Melbourne Wednesday afternoon, according to the agency.
K-9 Zena, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, was found by her handler while he was checking on her during a training class at Melbourne’s Criminal Justice Academy, Cocoa Police Department spokesperson Yvonne Martinez said in a statement.
Investigators are working to determine her cause of death and whether Zena’s handler, whom the agency did not officially name, followed department policies in her care, Martinez said.
Zena was donated to the city in August by a man in South Florida “who recognized the dog’s potential for police service,” according to a Facebook post by the agency.
The second female K-9 recruited by CPD, Zena replaced K-9 Kable after the 7-year-old German Shepherd retired in October. Zena trained in patrol work, drug detection and apprehension and was certified for patrol work in April, according to CPD.
Her work with the unit included conducting suspect apprehensions and searches and providing officer protection, the agency said.
When CPD announced Zena would undergo K-9 training, K-9 unit commander Lt. Anthony Marchica praised her aptitude for patrol work.
“She is already showing high drive and motivation which is what we look for in a patrol dog,” he said in a statement. “She will be a great asset not only for officer protection, but for the overall safety of our community. The citizens of Cocoa are fortunate to have her on the team.”
As of October, the agency had three other dogs working with the K-9 unit: K-9s Bear and Kyra served in the patrol division and K-9 Copper worked as a public relations and therapy dog with the Community Resource Unit, according to CPD.
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