A K9 officer with the Little Rock Police Department has died from heat distress after a several-block foot chase with a suspect in 96-degree heat.
Department spokesman Officer Richard Hilgeman says Titus, a German Shepherd, was part of the department's downtown division for about three years. Titus died Wednesday at Briarwood Animal Hospital.
Hilgeman says about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers were involved in a foot chase with a suspect they believe had stolen property from several cars he had broken into.
Titus was with the officers during the chase and was able to subdue and apprehend the suspect, Hilgeman says.
A short time later, the dog started to exhibit symptoms of heat distress and was taken to the animal hospital. Titus didn't respond to emergency treatment.