The leading cause of death of police dogs is heatstroke.
Heatstroke which is the leading cause of death for police dogs often occurs when a police dog is accidentally left inside of a patrol car that is hot during hot weather.
Or when the police dog is overworked during strenuous activity in high temperatures.
Other major causes of death for police dogs are gunfire and being shot, vehicle related accidents, and other traumatic events.
Although heatstroke is the most frequent cause of death for police dogs.
A police dog is often confined in a patrol car in a small space and although they do have air conditioning, sometimes the police dog may accidentally be left inside the patrol car without the AC going.
Even when windows are cracked or the police car is parked in the shade, the interior of the police car can reach deadly temperatures very quickly.
Heatstroke in police dogs can also occur from exertion, when the police dog is pushed too hard during training exercises or while the police dog is working in extreme heat.
In some cases, the AC in the patrol car might fail or the engine might shut off or the heat alarm might fail.
An officer's negligence or even the police dog's dark or thick fur can also lead to the tragic deaths of the police dog.
Injuries from fights, falls or other duty related accidents, gunfire and being struck by a vehicle when in the line of duty are also causes of death in police dogs.