Yesterday, a Chandler Police Department Sergeant was arrested by Sheriff Joe for the death of his K-9 partner.  My feelings on the arrest were very conflicted to say the least.  One the one hand, a dog was cooked in a car and on the other side, you have Sheriff Joe getting more publicity.

I need to be very clear up front...I am a huge dog lover!  They are the coolest pets when you open the door at home and they are all over you.  Totally unconditional love. 

Was I upset that a dog was left in a car to bake?  Yes!  It is a big mistake!  Especially when it is a highly trained police dog that has a tremendous purpose to the well being of society.  People with pets (or working dogs) need to have responsibility for their animals. 

I am of the understanding that Sergeant Lovejoy accidentally left the dog in the car after a member of his family was having some sort of a problem that needed immediate attention.  He simple forgot.  It still is not forgivable, but it was an accident.  The Lovejoy family was devastated by what had transpired. 

What really got my goat about this story was the way that Sheriff Joe looked almost distraught at the press conference yesterday to announce the arrest, a press conference that the Sheriff's department arranged.  Sheriff Joe is the champion of all animals in Maricopa County!  It just struck me that Sheriff Joe planned all of this as another one of his publicity stunts and this time he may have gone to far.  Did Sheriff Joe do this for publicity?  I think the answer unfortunately is obvious.  Is he going to develop a P.R. nightmare with other law enforcement agencies?  I think the answer is yes. 

I do think Sergeant Lovejoy should be responsible for his actions and pay the price just like any other citizen.  No Officer is above the law, especially the ones that they are to enforce.  I just don't think that it should be sensationalized to benefit the Sheriff Joe P.R. machine.

What do you think?