PETA Statement re No Charges Filed in Death of K-9 Nitro

For Immediate Release:
October 6, 2025

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has announced that no charges will be filed in the death of Nitro, a K-9 used by the Coalinga Police Department, who reportedly died from heatstroke after being left in an outdoor kennel during a weekend last year when temperatures reached 114 degrees. PETA is calling on the Coalinga Police Department to prevent other dogs from suffering and dying as Nitro did by phasing out the use of K-9s altogether. Below, please find a statement from PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk:

“When he was left outside to slowly bake to death, Nitro joined the ranks of police dogs killed due to negligence, and while he can’t be brought back, other dogs will be saved if police departments wise up and end the use of K-9s as weapons and equipment. Although it is preventable, heatstroke is among the leading causes of death for dogs used by police departments. Nitro undoubtedly suffered in agony, trapped in a scorching kennel as his body temperature soared and his organs shut down; PETA is urging the Coalinga Police Department to turn this tragedy into lifesaving action for countless other dogs by ending the use of K-9s.”

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.