Police K-9 called Aron dies inside hot car after AC broke down 

A police K-9 named Aron died in Houston, Texas on Monday after the air conditioning in the parked vehicle broke down while his handler was away. 

According to the police, the four-year-old pup was rushed to an emergency veterinarian but he later died of heat exhaustion. 

'When Aron's police handler returned to the vehicle, it was discovered that the engine had been shut off and Aron was in distress,' authorities said. 

In a statement, police said that the act of leaving a police K-9 inside a running, air-conditioned vehicle is 'common practice' within the department. 

The group said the cars are equipped with measures to alert the handlers and cool down the vehicle should the engine turn off, but that the measures did not kick in. 

A police K-9 named Aron died in Houston, Texas on Monday after the air conditioning in the parked vehicle broke down while his handler was away

In a statement, police said that the act of leaving a police K-9 inside a running, air-conditioned vehicle is 'common practice' within the department. Pictured: The Houston Police Department

In a statement shared on Facebook, the Houston Police Department shared the heartbreaking details of the animal's death, calling it a 'tragic accident.' 

Aron had 1.5 years of police service with the department, police said.  

The handler had stepped away from the car and left Aron inside. The air-conditioning should have remained on as long as the animal remained there.  

When the handler returned, however, the engine had gone out completely. 

The department said K-9 cars are equipped with a system that works like a backup generator should the vehicle turn off. 

The system 'notifies the handler, sounds the horn, activates cooling fans, and rolls down the car windows, if for some reason the vehicle shuts down.' 

'This did not happen in this instance,' the police department's statement read.  

The Houston Police Department said officers are now investigating the incident to try and understand why the vehicle shut off and the backup system did not work. 

All other K-9 vehicles will now be inspected for any potential issues in the future. 

In a statement shared on Facebook, the Houston Police Department shared the heartbreaking details of the animal's death, calling it a 'tragic accident'

The department said K-9 cars are equipped with a system that works like a backup generator should the vehicle turn off. Pictured: A K-9 officer inside a HPD vehicle 

The department's post ended with a request that the public keep Aron's handler and the other members of the K-9 team in their thoughts and prayers. 

The disheartening news shared on Facebook received thousands of reactions and hundreds of comments thanking the pup for his service. 

'This is so heartbreaking. Thank you for your services k9 Aron,' one user wrote. 

'Amen such important animals need to be provided for hopefully the extended measure will be taken to be them alive and safe,' another added. 

'RIP Aron. Thank you for your service,' wrote another.