SCOTT CITY POLICEMAN RESIGNS AFTER DEATH OF DRUG-SNIFFING DOG

SCOTT CITY, Kan. (AP)- The police officer who worked with Scott County's
drug-sniffing dog resigned after the dog died of heat stroke when it was
left in the officer's squad car for three hours.

Officer Doug Haire had worked with the animal less than two months but had
been with the Scott City Police Department for two years.

Haire resigned Tuesday, a day after the City Council voted to recommend to
Scott County Sheriff Alan Stewart that Haire be fired or asked to resign.

Haire said Wednesday that he's not likely to continue a career in law
enforcement. He said he quit because "basically I'm responsible for the dog."

Dar, a 31/2-year-old Czechoslovakian shepherd that had served the police
and Scott County Sheriff's Department since January 2001, died of heat
stroke in a back-seat kennel in Haire's cruiser last Friday.

Haire had parked the car in the sun at the city's law enforcement center
and gone inside, leaving the back windows of the squad car rolled
completely down and the front windows cracked open. Officers are
discouraged from bringing a drug dog into the law enforcement center
because those in the building tend to coddle the animal.

"I got caught up and busy, and then I went out and found him," Haire said.

It was 94 degrees outside when Haire discovered the dog dead in his kennel
about 3:15 p.m., he said. Dar had a dish of water, Haire said, and had been
left alone in the kennel before.

Scott City Assistant Police Chief Jeff Pounds said Haire's inexperience
with the dog could have contributed to the animal's death.

"I believe he just didn't think it was that hot out," Pounds said.

Haire could face a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to an animal, although
Scott County Attorney John Shirley said he had yet to review the case.

"He was attached to the dog and fond of it," Shirley said. "He feels bad
about the loss."

Dar cost about $8,000 and was paid for by community contributions, Pounds
said. The city probably will buy a new dog, but Pounds said he expects the
community won't be as forthcoming with money this time.

Scott City is in western Kansas, about 35 miles north of Garden City.