Police responded to a scene in Davie where two Hialeah police K-9s were found deceased Wednesday.
The police dogs were with an off-duty Hialeah K-9 officer when they died at his Davie home.
Both the Hialeah and Davie Police Departments are investigating.
Investigators say Officer Nelson Enriquez left the work dogs in his marked police vehicle Wednesday morning and discovered the 7-year-old Bloodhound and 4-year-old Belgium Malinois dead in the evening.
The bloodhound, Jimmy, was donated to the police department seven years ago by the Jimmy Ryce Center. Hector was the name of the Belgium Malinois.
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of two remarkable police dogs from the Hialeah Police Department, 'Jimmy' and 'Hector,' said Don Ryce, with the Jimmy Ryce Center. "Our mission is stronger than ever and with the public's help we hope to be able to raise funds to replace these dogs."
The officer's SUV was towed away by investigators.
Officer Enriquez, a 13-year veteran of the department who has been a K-9 handler for the past seven years, has been relieved of duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
"The Hialeah Police Department is extremely saddened by this unfortunate occurrence and every effort will be made to determine the cause of this terrible tragedy which claimed the lives of two very beloved members of our Hialeah Police family," the department said in a statement.
The K-9s will be taken to the University of Florida in Gainesville to undergo necropsies and will be escorted by members of the Hialeah Police Honor Guard and Motormen detail, officials said.
