Page 98 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Winter 2014

Table 1 Traumatic Causes of Death in Law Enforcement Dogs Figure 1 Number of reported traumatic deaths.
Traumatic Cause Cases, No. Percent
Nonpenetrating blunt trauma
Struck by vehicle 82 25.8
Vehicle crash 22 6.9
Fall 16 5.0
Localized impact 2 0.6
Penetrating trauma
Ballistic 73 23.0
Sharp nonballistic 5 1.6
Heatstroke 79 24.8
Airway obstruction 12 3.8
Ingested toxin 11 3.5
Other 16 5.0 Figure 2 Number of traumatic deaths reported annually
by cause.
caused by alarm systems that malfunctioned allowing
the interior of the car to reach dangerous temperatures
without notification (n = 23). The remaining 16 heat-
stroke cases were caused by exertion (n = 8) or environ-
mental conditions (n = 8).

Ballistic deaths could be classified additionally as hostile
ballistic attack while on duty, friendly fire while on duty,
and hostile ballistic attack while the dog was not on duty
(Table 2). Working dogs used in civilian law enforcement
are trained for various purposes (e.g., detection, appre-
hension, and search and rescue), but approximately 38%
of the ballistic fatalities occurred while apprehending
or tracking a suspect. In the cases that involved friendly study that has categorized, compared, and reported these
fire, the majority (n = 16) involved a dog that identified data. The current study compiled self-reported cases of
a police officer/handler as the suspect or showed signs working dogs used in civilian law enforcement that died
of aggression toward a police officer/handler, leading to or were euthanized while in service in the United States.
a police officer/handler fatally wounding the dog. The Overall, the current study found the most commonly
remaining cases include accidental shootings or a canine reported causes of death related to a traumatic event to
officer caught in crossfire. Cases involving hostile off- be blunt trauma caused by a vehicle strike, heatstroke,
duty shootings include incidents not related to their work and ballistic penetrating trauma. Although causes of
duties. The annual reported number of traumatic deaths death could not be verified with veterinary records or
in law enforcement dogs remained fairly consistent un- necropsy reports, this study provides a characterization
til 2010 and 2011, when there was a positive increase. of mortality in the working dog community that may
However, the data indicated a return to previous levels in benefit future research and improve treatment of life-
2012 (Figures 1 and 2). threatening injuries, and improve equipment and train-
ing for current needs.
Table 2 Descriptive Details for Ballistic Deaths
Working dogs are exposed to different circumstances
Ballistic Deaths Cases, No. Percent when compared to the general population of dogs. While
Hostile – on duty 28 38.4 on duty, military, special weapons and tactics (SWAT),
Friendly fire – on duty 23 31.5 and law enforcement dogs are subjected to threats simi-
lar to those experienced by their human counterparts.
Hostile – off duty 22 30.1
Potential threats include ballistic, blunt, and explosive-
resulting traumas, in addition to the potential for in-
gesting hazardous substances. These dogs may be at
Discussion
risk for hostile action or being involved in dangerous
Although there are studies investigating military work- situations as a result of their duties. Common causes of
ing dogs, there is a lack of data investigating civilian law injury or death could differ for different working dog
enforcement dogs. 7–12 This is, to our knowledge, the only populations.

88 Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 14, Edition 4/Winter 2014