K-9s’ Hot Car Deaths Prompt PETA Plea to New Jersey Sheriff: Replace Dogs With Technology

For Immediate Release:
July 9, 2026

Contact:
Alex Payne 202-483-7382

Following the deaths of Rip and Boomer, two K-9s who died after their handler reportedly left them in a hot patrol vehicle in Salem County, New Jersey, for approximately seven hours on May 29, PETA sent a letter today to Salem County Sheriff Charles Miller, urging him to help protect other dogs by phasing out the use of K-9s. In the letter, PETA encourages the department to prevent future tragedies by replacing K-9s with state-of-the-art policing technology, such as tactical robots, drones, and portable mass spectrometers.

According to the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, handler Cody Henderson left Rip, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, and Boomer, a 6-year-old Springer Spaniel, in his vehicle without ventilation—the vehicle was not running, the windows were closed, and no emergency alert system was activated. As temperatures outside reached 81 degrees, the vehicle’s interior could have reached 125 degrees within an hour. A necropsy determined that both dogs died from hyperthermia, and Henderson has been charged with multiple counts of cruelty to animals.

“Rip and Boomer surely panicked as they couldn’t escape the heat and their organs shut down,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “K-9s deaths skyrocket every summer as dogs are left in hot cars and subjected to situations considered far too dangerous for human officers, and PETA is urging the Salem County Sheriff’s Office phase out its K-9 program and adopt innovative technology that helps police, protects the community, and keeps dogs safe.”

Rip and Boomer’s deaths are part of an ongoing epidemic affecting K-9s: Hot patrol cars are among the top causes of death for dogs used by police departments; many sustain fatal injuries in the field, and some even suffer abuse from their own handlers. PETA is calling on law enforcement agencies nationwide to end these preventable tragedies by retiring K-9 programs in favor of advanced technology.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Miller follows.

July 9, 2026

The Honorable Charles Miller

Sheriff of Salem County

Dear Sheriff Miller:

I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) regarding the tragic deaths of K-9 Rip and K-9 Boomer in a hot patrol vehicle. Please accept our condolences during this difficult time.

We understand that their handler has been charged in relation to their deaths, and we hope that your agency will take all warranted internal disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. We strongly recommend implementing and enforcing standard operating procedures that prevent animals from being left unattended in vehicles. Given that no technology or procedure is guaranteed to protect dogs, we also urge you to phase out the use of dogs altogether.

Will you please plan now to use state-of-the-art technology, such as tactical robots, drones, or portable mass spectrometers, which enhance safety and operational efficiency without risking anyone’s life, once your current K-9s have been retired? Your department may be able to secure grant funding for new technology through the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. You might also find private or equipment-specific grant funding opportunities through PoliceGrantsHelp.com.

Thank you for your consideration and for all that you do to keep your community safe.

Most respectfully,

Allison Fandl

Manager of Special Projects

Cruelty Investigations Department | PETA