It Was a No Show for Police Dog Handler Mark Johnson
by He is charged with one charge for causing unnecessary suffering to his two German Shepard dogs Jet and Jay-Jay when he left them in his police car outside the HQ in Nottinghamshire. He believed he would only be going in for a quick visit, however it turned out to be slightly longer. When he returned to his car both dogs were dead. The temperature inside the car was said to be more than 40c.
Police dog handler Mark Johnson didn’t show up again for his court hearing on the 14th October 2009.
He is charged with one charge for causing unnecessary suffering to his two German Shepard dogs Jet and Jay-Jay when he left them in his police car outside the HQ in Nottinghamshire. He believed he would only be going in for a quick visit, however it turned out to be slightly longer. When he returned to his car both dogs were dead. The temperature inside the car was said to be more than 40c.
Mark has an excellent working police record and was previously regarded as one of the UK’s leading police dog handlers.
He was given home leave and suspended before he was charged with unnecessary suffering to the dogs and he could be looking at a jail sentence of 6 months and a £20,000 fine.
He failed to attend the ten minute hearing at the Nottingham Magistrates court on 14th October 2009, his lawyer submitted a note from his doctor saying he was unfit to attend. The court accepted the letter.
A 40 page psychiatric report was also given to the judge and earlier it has been revealed that Mark was unfit to attend his previous court appearance last month. He was said to be suffering from stress and its no wonder as Mark loved his dogs and will now be suffering great shame and guilt.
I know that justice will be done for Mark Johnson but I believe the greatest punishment will be caused by himself as he will not get over the past few months for a very long time to come.
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Post CommentTeves
On October 16, 2009 at 8:23 am
I have 2 dogs in my house just like that dog in the picture…Nice one rose…
ken bultman
On October 16, 2009 at 8:50 am
It’s a heartbreaking story…one that has happened to a policewoman here locally not long ago. A warning device that alerts when the air conditioning goes off in the car failed resulting in the K-9’s death. She will be a long time getting over it.
cardy
On October 16, 2009 at 9:01 am
I must have hit him bad for what happend to the dogs such a sad story that is not over, a well written piece from you a good read.
cutedrishti8
On October 16, 2009 at 9:18 am
A very well written work.
Vikram Chhabra
On October 16, 2009 at 10:48 am
Thanks for bringing this to our notice. It is sad.
Lostash
On October 16, 2009 at 10:49 am
Sounds like he’s paying the price already.
kashish786
On October 16, 2009 at 10:57 am
It’s sad
Brenda Nelson
On October 16, 2009 at 11:03 am
I feel sorry for the prosecuters too really because while they want to send a message out this situation is very hard because we know that a person can beat themselves up worse than the court system. It is very unlike punishing a person for allowing pets to starve to death or for runing a puppy mill or having fighting dogs.
Frances Lawrence
On October 16, 2009 at 7:16 pm
It is right that he should face the charges for allowing the dogs to suffer, but I feel sorry for him too, he made a dreadful mistake and it is one that he can never put right.
Ruby Hawk
On October 16, 2009 at 8:30 pm
How sad a thing to happen. It seems he just didn’t understand how hot it was in the car. This must be terrible for him.
jaysland
On October 16, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Lilly, thanks for the follow up. This guy is in my prayers as he deals with all of this. ~jay
Jane Jane
On October 17, 2009 at 8:40 am
that’s sad for the dogs and I guess that Mark loves them and is also sad seeing the dead.
STEVE666
On October 19, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Good follow-on article. Don’t think a prison sentence is just, as this was more a terrible mistake than a crime.
lillyrose
On October 19, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Thank you for all your remarks. I can’t stop thinking about these two articles and I think I may print them off and send them to Nottingham HQ or post them there when I go and walk my dogs. Mark has had some really bad press, I just want him to realise that not all think the same way.
deep blue
On October 24, 2009 at 8:25 am
We all get some of life’s embarrassments while we live. When into it, how we wish for it to pass and gain our usual stand. Mark has only to deal with the present issue and gain his life afterwards. I hope his previous good record will give him the benefit to be reconsidered in the service. For all I knew, there are lots of those in uniform who have committed worst mistakes and have been enjoying life in the force like nothing happened.