Death of San Diego police dog becomes political issue

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The case of the San Diego police dog that died of heat stroke while left in a squad car on a hot day has now become a (minor) political issue.

Superior Court Judge Jan Goldsmith, on leave to challenge City Atty. Michael Aguirre, on Friday accused Aguirre of grand-standing by filing a lawsuit against police officer Paul Hubka. Hubka last week pleaded no contest to misdemeanor animal abuse in the death of Forrest, the 5-year-old Belgian Malinois.

Under a plea bargain with the district attorney, Hubka agreed to pay a fine and half the cost of replacing Forrest, about $4000.

Aguirre had filed a civil complaint demanding Hubka pay for replacing the dog. He withdrew the case after Hubka’s plea.

Goldsmith says Aguirre should repay the cost of filing the complaint and holding news conferences on the topic. The money ‘was spent to get him media attention, not practice law,’ Goldsmith says.

-- Tony Perry, in San Diego