by LAS VEGAS, NV – A Clark County School District Police Department officer has pleaded no contest in connection with the tragic death of his K9 partner, who was left in a sweltering patrol car for several hours last year.
Officer Enters Plea in K9 Death Case
Court documents show that Officer James Harris entered a plea of “nolo contendere” (no contest) on October 28 in Las Vegas Justice Court, admitting to a misdemeanor charge of confining an animal in a motor vehicle. The plea came just one week before a bench trial was scheduled to begin.
As part of a plea deal, two more serious charges — torturing or abandoning an animal and failure to provide for a confined animal — were dismissed.
The no-contest plea means Harris is not admitting guilt but accepts conviction and sentencing as if he had pleaded guilty.
K9 Left in Hot Car for More Than Six Hours
According to an affidavit filed in the case, K9 Marley, a trained police dog with the Clark County School District Police Department, died on November 14, 2023, after being left inside a patrol vehicle kennel for more than six hours.
Investigators stated that Harris arrived for duty around 6:55 a.m. at Foothill High School in Henderson, parking on the south side of the campus. He reportedly left the air conditioning running for Marley but disconnected the vehicle’s heat-sensor system — a critical device that automatically rolls down the windows, activates fans, and triggers an alarm when temperatures inside the vehicle reach dangerous levels.
Authorities say it remains unclear why Harris disabled the safety mechanism, which is standard equipment in K9 patrol units to protect dogs from heat exposure.
Affidavit Reveals Lack of Monitoring
Court records indicate that Harris failed to check on Marley during his entire shift. He reportedly admitted that he did not return to the vehicle at any point after arriving at the school.
By the time Harris finished his workday, Marley was found unresponsive inside the locked kennel of the patrol SUV. The cause of death was determined to be heatstroke, according to the department’s internal investigation.
Temperatures in Las Vegas that day exceeded 90°F, meaning the interior of a closed vehicle could have reached well over 120°F within minutes.
Department Response and Aftermath
The Clark County School District Police Department (CCSDPD) called Marley’s death a “devastating loss” and confirmed that an internal review was conducted immediately after the incident.
In a public statement last year, the department said:
“K9 Marley was a beloved member of our unit and served the community with dedication. His passing has deeply affected our department, and we are committed to ensuring that such a tragedy never happens again.”
The department did not provide details on whether Harris has faced internal disciplinary action or remains on active duty.
Legal and Community Reaction
Animal advocates across Nevada have expressed outrage over the case, calling for stronger accountability when officers are involved in animal deaths.
“This is a heartbreaking reminder that no one is above the law when it comes to animal welfare,” said Samantha Greene, a spokesperson for a Las Vegas-based animal rights group. “Leaving a K9 partner in a hot car is a failure of duty and compassion.”
The case has reignited discussions over how law enforcement agencies train and monitor K9 handlers, with some departments now requiring real-time temperature monitoring systems that send alerts to officers’ phones if interior conditions become unsafe.
Sentencing and Potential Penalties
As part of the plea, Harris faces potential penalties that may include fines, community service, or restrictions on future K9 assignments. Sentencing will take place later this year.
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While the misdemeanor charge carries lighter penalties than the original counts, prosecutors emphasized that the plea still represents a measure of accountability for Marley’s death.
Remembering K9 Marley
Marley had served with the school district police department for several years and was known for his friendly demeanor with students and staff. The department held a small private ceremony in his memory last December.
As one officer reportedly said during the memorial:
“Marley wasn’t just a K9. He was a partner, a protector, and part of the family.”
The case has left many questioning whether sufficient safeguards exist to protect working dogs from negligence, especially during Nevada’s intense heat.
Do you think police K9 safety laws should be stricter? Share your thoughts in the comments at race-day-live.com.
