Texas Police Department Investigates Death of K-9

Oct. 8, 2020
A Laredo police K- 9 officer has been placed on administrative duties following the death of K-9 Turbo, authorities said Wednesday.

LAREDO, Texas -- A Laredo police K- 9 officer has been placed on administrative duties following the death of his dog, authorities said Wednesday.

Officer Armando Aguilar, a 9-year veteran police officer, has been placed on administrative re-assignment for the death of his partner Turbo, a 4-year-old Dutch Shepherd that was with LPD for about 2 ½ years.

“Our department is mourning Turbo's loss as we would with any of our employees,” said Laredo Police Chief Claudio Treviño Jr. in a statement. “Our K-9s are an indispensable part of our department and continue to view them as our partners."

An incident was reported at about 7 p.m. Tuesday when Aguilar found Turbo unresponsive inside his assigned K-9 unit. The incident occurred at the home of the K-9 handler after his shift, authorities said.

LPD is conducting internal and criminal investigations into the case.

“The Laredo Police Department has safety equipment installed in its police K-9 vehicles in addition to policies in place regarding the care and well being of our K-9s,” Treviño stated. “We will be conducting a thorough investigation with fair and swift action into this matter and enhance all necessary measures to continue the safety of our K-9 partners.”

The criminal investigation will then be presented to the Webb County District Attorney’s Office for their review.

“It is, definitely, with great sadness that I address the passing of Turbo, our K-9 officer,” said Laredo City Manager Robert Eads in a statement. “As a valuable member of our police force, he will be greatly missed. We understand that an investigation will continue, but I will look into the options to strengthen the training and security measures so that this unfortunate event does not happen in our community again.”

This is the second incident this year that involves the death of a K-9 officer.

In August, then Airport Police Officer Mario A. Larranaga Jr. left his partner, K-9 Officer Chester, unattended inside a locked vehicle. Larranaga returned and found the dog unresponsive. Chester later died.

Larranaga offered his resignation on Aug. 31, according to his termination letter. That case remains open.

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©2020 the Laredo Morning Times (Laredo, Texas)

Visit the Laredo Morning Times (Laredo, Texas) at www.lmtonline.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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