Collier County shelter dog dies in county car, ride-along program suspended

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Collier County suspended a ride-along program designed to benefit shelter dogs after one of the animals died late last week. 

There is an investigation into the circumstances and who had responsibility for the dog, a county spokesperson said. 

The county announced the 'Road Dogs' program one year ago. Dogs from Collier County Domestic Animal Service would "ride shotgun" in a county truck, according to a Facebook post. They visit job sites, neighborhoods, and possibly find a forever home. 

But the program is now suspended after Collier County confirmed one of the dogs died in a county vehicle late last week.

WINK News reached out to the county multiple times with detailed questions, including who is investigating, who discovered the dog and what vehicle it was in. The county did not answer those questions.

Staff at Domestic Animal Services, where the dogs come from, pointed WINK News to communications staff.

Neighbors are wondering how this could have happened.

"It's a sad day for the dogs," Michael Adcox of Collier County said. "It's a good program. It's really sad to see something like this happen in there. You know, they're helping a lot of animals, so we just hope that it gets straightened out."

WINK News also reached out to the Collier County Sheriff's Office. A spokeswoman says she doesn't know if deputies are investigating and asked WINK News to make a records request, which was submitted.

Animal shelters across the country operate similar programs, according to Kristin Sampson, operations director for Gulf Coast Humane Society in Fort Myers. Sampson did not comment directly on the Collier County case, because she is not familiar with the Road Dogs program. 

However, she said such field trips can provide dogs with enrichment, reduce kennel stress, increase public exposure, and gather information about how dogs behave outside the shelter environment.

Sampson said appropriate safety measures could include written emergency procedures - like veterinary contact information - and clear reporting requirements.

Programs could also train people to safely handle dogs, Sampson said, including  recognizing stress and heat-related illness.

Dogs primarily regulate their body temperature by panting and are especially vulnerable in enclosed, poorly ventilated environments, Sampson said. The risk can be greater for puppies, senior dogs, overweight dogs, dogs with thick coats, dogs with medical conditions, and flat-faced breeds.

The breed and age of the dog that died is unknown. Meanwhile, the investigation into what happened continues.