After Pitt County K-9 Dies in Hot Car on PETA Founder’s Birthday, PETA Offers Robot Replacement
For Immediate Release:
July 24, 2026
Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382
Following the death of a Pitt County K-9 named Chilli, after her handler reportedly left her in a hot patrol vehicle on June 11, PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk—who celebrated her 77th birthday on the same day—has offered to purchase a robot dog for the Sheriff’s Office if it agrees to end its K-9 program entirely. The offer, which was shared in a letter sent today to Pitt County Sheriff Paula S. Dance, urges Dance to prevent future tragedies by replacing K-9s with robots or other state-of-the-art technology—such as robots, drones, and portable mass spectrometers—and to seek an independent investigation into Chili’s death by an external agency such as the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
While an internal investigation deemed Chilli’s death an accident, PETA notes in its letter that “the day’s extreme heat was no surprise” and that Chilli’s handler “surely knew his car was not equipped with any internal-temperature monitor.” PETA points out that, as outside temperatures reached 99 degrees that day, the vehicle’s interior could have reached 138 degrees within 30 minutes.
“Chilli surely panicked as she couldn’t escape the heat and her organs shut down,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “K-9 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 Pitt County Sheriff’s Office to phase out its K-9 program and adopt innovative technology that helps police, protects the community, and keeps dogs safe.”
Chilli’s death is 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 argues that police and working dogs cannot consent to their roles, stating that human officers choose the risks of their jobs while K-9s do not. 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 thatEvery 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 Dance follows.
July 24, 2026
The Honorable Paula S. Dance
Sheriff of Pitt County
Via e-mail
Dear Sheriff Dance:
I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) regarding the tragic death of K-9 Chilli in a hot patrol vehicle. I am sure some people loved that loyal dog, so please accept our condolences.
While an internal investigation deemed Chilli’s death an accident, we urge you to seek an independent investigation by an external agency such as the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation or to reopen that investigation. After all, that day’s extreme heat was no surprise, and Chilli’s handler surely knew his car was not equipped with any internal-temperature monitor. We also understand that your agency is pursuing funding for heat-alert safety equipment. Given that no technology or procedure is guaranteed to protect dogs from harm, sometimes failing and resulting in deaths, whether intentional or accidental, we urge you to phase out the use of dogs altogether by not replacing them as they retire. The time for this transition is now.
PETA’s founder, Ingrid Newkirk, was particularly moved by this case because Chilli died on her birthday, and has offered to pay for the purchase of a robot dog such as Spot for Pitt County if your agency will end its K-9 program. This state-of-the-art technology is designed to help safely clear structures and find people who are hiding by acting as “eyes and ears” for responding officers in real time. It can also be equipped with sensors to detect hazardous substances such as explosives and fentanyl, based on your community’s specific needs.
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
