Pc denies dogs car death charges

The dogs were found in the back of Pc Johnson's car

A police dog handler has denied causing unnecessary suffering to two German shepherd dogs that died after being left in his car on a hot day.

Pc Mark Johnson appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court earlier to deny the charges.

Temperatures on 30 June, the day the dogs died, reached 29.3C (84.7F).

Pc Johnson, who has been suspended from the Nottinghamshire force, will go on trial before a district judge at the same court on 22 February.

The dogs were found in the back of Pc Johnson's car at Nottinghamshire Police headquarters in Arnold.

It is understood that Jet, who was 10 years old, came third at last year's National Police Dog Championship and that 18-month-old Jay-Jay was being trained to replace the older dog.

The RSPCA is bringing the prosecution, accusing Pc Johnson of "unnecessarily confining them in an environment that was detrimental to their well-being".

Advertisement

Pc Mark Johnson arriving at Nottingham Magistrates' Court