Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas, center, conducts a media conference Friday.
PRIOR to the incident that led to the death of two police dogs in a police vehicle on Sept. 9, the police officer conducted a routine inspection of the vehicle, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas said in a media conference on Friday.
“Based on the investigation, we found that the police vehicle had encountered a mechanical problem that morning. The findings were made by a certified mechanic using a diagnostic instrument. The mechanic saw a problem with the vehicle’s air conditioner,” Macaranas added.
On Sept. 27, DPS held a funeral service for its two police dogs, Boss and Beni, who died after they were left inside a police car on Sept. 8, 2024.
According to DPS, “The dog handlers were securing drug evidence at headquarters. They returned to the vehicle 30 minutes later and discovered the dogs passed out.”
An “officer claims the aircon died and was blowing hot air,” DPS added.
Joining Macaranas in a media conference on Friday were Detective Janika Atalig, Crime Scene Investigator Sgt. Dan Quinto, Lt. Roy Kaipat of the Professional Responsibility Office or Internal Affairs, and DPS-Special Operations Group Commander Joe Saures.
Macaranas said “investigation findings also showed that it was beyond the police officer’s ability to know if the vehicle and such component is problematic. ‘Cause if he did, we could have prevented this tragic incident.”
He reiterated that the police officers checked the vehicle before leaving police headquarters to do their job.
“The officers assured that the vehicle’s air-condition was properly working before leaving the vehicle. The vehicle was secured so that no one could tamper or open the door, and it was early in the morning. The officers went in to process their evidence, and when they came out, that is what had happened,” Macaranas said.
The two police K9 handlers have been transferred to the patrol section “to continue their police work, but at the same time they will also be going for counseling to help them cope with the loss of the dogs,” he added.
Macaranas said the transfer is not a disciplinary measure. “They will return to their original positions — K-9 units are specialized positions, you need to be trained to be there,” the DPS chief added.
He said DPS will continue to review policy and protocols for the K9 units “so that we can make improvements and avoid similar incidents.”
Ask why the deaths of the police dogs weren’t reported right away, Macaranas said, “The dogs are part of DPS. I take it seriously. I’m going to fix this issue so that we don’t see this from happening again. I respect the community’s opinion on what happened.”
When he learned about the dogs’ death, he said he “instructed the police commander to look into the matter [and] the IA to look into the matter….and [find out] what [led] to the incident…. I don’t want to provide an incomplete statement to the community.”
DPS has two remaining police dogs, Variety learned.
