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Oklahoma Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Peck was terminated from the department when an investigation into his K9 partner, Bak’s death revealed the dog had been left trapped in the police cruiser for at least 36 hours.
Bak, an 8-year old German shepherd, had served the department for 6 years at the time of his death, presumably due to heat exhaustion while trapped in the vehicle.
Former deputy Peck was partnered with K9 Bak for four years when he left the German shepherd in the back of his police cruiser for the entire duration of his days off of work. It was 36 hours later when the deputy was back on duty. He returned to his police-issued cruiser and smelled the dead animal during his drive to the courthouse to work on August 5.
Peck was terminated from the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators have turned over their findings to the distric attorney’s office who will review the case and determine if charges will be filed against the former deputy.
“You have the utmost responsibility to take care of those dogs as a K9 handler,” Stephens County Sheriff Wayne McKinney told The Duncan Banner. “I know there was some departmental policies violated, but we have concerns in other areas. We’re looking at that, and I just want to assure the people it will be dealt with if there is a problem.”
Bak’s name will be added to a memorial alongside the department’s other fallen officers outside the Stephens County courthouse.
Rachel
Mar 31, 2018 at 12:30 am
Shame on you. Why you can do that with your friend? Unbelievable!!!
rebecca
Jan 9, 2018 at 11:04 am
Why would anyone keep a dog in a car in scorching temperatures! That man should not have kids, forget about animals.
Hotma Satrya Utama
Jul 12, 2017 at 12:24 pm
POOR DOG… A HERO HAS PARTNER AN IDIOT!!! TOO MANY IDIOT HAS CLEVER DOG PARTNER….RIP BAK !!
Hotma Satrya Utama
Jul 12, 2017 at 12:20 pm
POOR DOG… A HERO HAS PARTNER AN IDIOT!!! TOO MANY IDIOT HAS CLEVER DOG PARTNER….RIP BAK !!
DJ
Jul 2, 2017 at 5:20 pm
How do you go home,leave a dog in your car, and completely forget about him for 36 hours?
Diana
Dec 16, 2016 at 7:14 pm
I feel both sorry for the deputy and the especially the dog. He should have taken better care of his partner. I want to believe that he didn’t do this on purpose. He got his punishment but still losing the dog is too much.
Modica Dingess
Oct 3, 2016 at 3:23 am
Poor you Bak! You had a bad partner. He even didn’t care about you. I’m totally irritated when reading this post. The deputy, he must be punished!!
David
Sep 14, 2016 at 10:53 am
Unbelievable. I will never understand what was going on in his mind. NEVER!! And Bak will never forgive you. NEVER!!
Jennifer C. Butler
Sep 7, 2016 at 11:54 am
I can not understand why he could do that. Bak was his partner, his friend but he did not respect him. he must be punished.
jane cotton
Aug 30, 2016 at 6:41 am
Totally agree with all of the above comments…this bastard needs to be locked in a hot car for 36 hours AFTER he’s been beaten within an inch of his miserable life and forgotten about while everyone else goes and relaxed…like he did..if he’s still alive after 36 hours, hang the scum..
Judy Kent
Aug 30, 2016 at 1:27 am
I only have 2 questions.. WHY wasn’t the dog taken in the house or at least put in his yard with water, food and shelter. Did he even go out to the car to do any of these things.
I think the cop should be put in a hot car for 36 hours.If he dies, oh well. Sentence served. An eye for eye.
Frances
Aug 29, 2016 at 5:21 pm
If the distric attorney’s office does NOT file charges of at least felony animal cruelty or even murder of a K-9 officer, they need to be run out of office.
J. Udoff
Aug 29, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Again!!!!!! The police should never again be given these loyal, dedicated expensive working Dogs!!! This has happened way to often K-9’s dying at the habs of the police. And why question prosecuting this officer, it is clearly a case of criminal proportions! Neglect, Irresponsibility, ignorance and abuse! These officers shouldn’t be even protecting the public if they don’t even appreciate the life of their K-9 partner. Hang the bastard!
Donna Davis
Aug 29, 2016 at 3:40 pm
This is happening much too often! He needs more than job termination, he needs time in prison for animal cruelty, reckless and irresponsible treatment of a fellow officer and any number of other violations of human decency!
Eleanor Higginbotham
Aug 29, 2016 at 3:23 pm
Bak trusted you, deputy, and you left him behind. Shame on you.
Marla OBrien
Aug 29, 2016 at 12:46 pm
“IF there is a problem”???? You DAM know there’s a problem to deal with! Don’t be feckless! Get Justice done!
rie
Aug 29, 2016 at 11:20 am
piece of shit needs jail and some inmates to say hi