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Newcastle Police Dog Found Dead In Car
NEW INFO at 12:30pm – In a media conference, NSW Police said the air conditioned pod failed. He said it is a top of the line piece of equipment they purchased in 2023. The investigation continues. We’ll update this article as we find out more.
The NSW Police Force is in mourning after the unexpected deaths of two of its police dogs, including Newcastle’s own Police Dog “Xtra”, discovered in a vehicle in Sydney’s south.
On Thursday, 31 October 2024, PD Xtra and Development Dog Soldier were participating in a command development day at a facility in Lucas Heights. The dogs arrived with their handler, transported in air-conditioned pods within their purpose-built police vehicle, adhering to standard procedures.
Tragedy unfolded around 12:30 pm when the handler conducted a routine check and found both dogs unresponsive inside the vehicle. Immediate efforts were made to revive them, including rushing them to a specialist veterinary clinic, but sadly, neither PD Xtra nor DD Soldier could be saved.
An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Detectives from Sutherland Police Area Command are leading the inquiry, with oversight from Fleet Services.
PD Xtra, a German Shepherd accredited as a general-purpose dog in July 2018, was a valued member of the Newcastle/Central Coast Dog Unit. Renowned for his skill and dedication, PD Xtra played a crucial role in assisting officers and serving the Newcastle community.
DD Soldier, also a German Shepherd, had joined the Dog Unit in February 2024 and was in the midst of his training and development, showing great promise as a future service dog.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb expressed profound sorrow over the loss. “The passing of PD Xtra and DD Soldier is a significant blow to our force. Our hearts are with their handler and all members of the Dog Unit who worked closely with these exceptional animals,” she said.
Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty, Commander of the Police Transport and Public Safety Command, highlighted the support being provided to affected staff. “We are ensuring all personnel involved have access to the necessary support services during this difficult time,” he stated.
The NSW Police Force is committed to uncovering how this tragic incident occurred and is focused on the welfare of all staff involved as the investigation continues.
