Posted: Aug 15, 2012 2:43 PM by Ian Cross
Updated: Aug 16, 2012 11:18 PM
TUCSON - Felony charges will not be filed against the Arizona Department of Public Safety officer whose K-9 partner died after being left in a hot car last month, but misdemeanor charges may still be filed.
The Pima County Attorney's Office has declined felony prosecution against DPS Officer Korey Lankow in connection with the death of his K-9 partner Jeg, confirmed Tucson Police officials.
TPD detectives will present the case to the City Prosecutor's Office for consideration of misdemeanor charges against Officer Lankow, which should take place within the next week or two.
Jeg, who served with Officer Lankow for nearly three years, was euthanized on July 12 after being left inside his patrol vehicle for over an hour when Officer Lankow transferred vehicles and left him behind, DPS officials confirmed.
UPDATE: In a letter released Thursday, the Pima County Attorney's Office tells Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Robert Halliday that felony charges against Lankow are not appropriate in the case because the evidence shows the officer's conduct was "not intentional or knowing" and did not indicate he committed animal cruelty.
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