A police dog died of heat stroke after being left in a patrol car in Woodstock , Georgia , authorities said Tuesday . The 3-year-old dog , a Belgian Malinois named Spartacus , was found dead Monday night inside the K-9 handler 's car , which was parked outside his home , Brittany Duncan , a Woodstock Police Department spokeswoman , said in a written statement . A necropsy requested by the police department determined the cause of death was heat stroke , the statement said . The statement did not detail why the car was parked at the handler 's house nor did it say how long it had been parked there . `` The K9 handler is currently on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an internal investigation , '' Duncan said . The police department did not publicly identify Spartacus ' handler , describing him only as a 9-year police veteran who has worked as a K-9 handler for seven of those years . `` After the retirement of his first police K-9 , who is now a family pet living with the K-9 handler , the handler is devastated by the loss of his second police K-9 , '' Duncan said . Spartacus was cross-trained in drug detection , tracking and apprehension , according to the department . A memorial service for Spartacus will be announced at a later date , Duncan said .
Spartacus was a 3-year - old Joey Malinois at the Woodstock Police Department . The K-9 was cross - trained in drug detection , detection and tracking , police say . Authorities are not identifying Spartacus ' handler . The officer has been placed on administrative leave , police say .