Two police dogs found dead in car in Sydney’s south as NSW Police launch investigation

NSW Police have launched an investigation after two police dogs died in a car in Sydney’s south.

Two German shepherds, known as police dog Xtra and test dog Soldier, were found dead around noon by their handler in a police car in Lucas Heights on Thursday.

PD Xtra and DD Soldier were taken to a specialist veterinary clinic but could not be resuscitated.

The dogs and their handler attended a command skills development day at a facility in the area.

NSW Police said the dogs were kept in air-conditioned compartments of specially built police vehicles.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway and will be monitored by detectives attached to the Sutherland Garda Station and the Sutherland Fleet Service.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the dogs played a key role in assisting officers.

“We owe it to PD Xtra and DD Soldier to conduct a thorough investigation.”

PD Xtra was accredited as a general purpose dog in July 2018 and was attached to the Newcastle/Central Coast Dog Unit.

When Xtra was a new canine recruit in 2017, his name was chosen by chronically ill children at Westmead Children’s Hospital.

The hospital was provided with a list of suggested names starting with the letter “X”. The canine unit’s then-commander said community involvement in the pup naming process is a long-standing tradition.

The DD soldier began service in February of this year for training and advanced training.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty said ongoing support services were being provided to the officers involved.