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TUCSON - A Department of Public Safety K9 that was left in a patrol cruiser in extreme heat remains hospitalized at this time.

Jeg, a six-year-old Belgian Malinois, has been with the DPS for three years. Today, DPS officials say that his condition has been "up and down." He stood up last night, but took a turn for the worse this morning.

Jeg was left in his partner's patrol car for more than an hour. The DPS officer who left the dog in the car has been with DPS for over six years. Officials say the officer was distraught and has been lying by Jeg's kennel.

A DPS spokesperson describes how upsetting this is for the department.

"DPS is greatly saddened at the tragic events of today. Our K9's are officers just like we are. When one of them gets hurt it's just like one of our officers getting hurt. They are one of our officers," said Dave Hopkins a DPS spokesperson.

DPS has asked Tucson Police Department to look into the possibility of a criminal investigation against the DPS officer.