City drops suit over police dog

The city attorney Tuesday dropped his civil lawsuit seeking damages from a police officer for the heatstroke death of his police dog.

City Atty. Michael Aguirre also indicated he is no longer seeking to block the officer from receiving his $50,000 share of a settlement of a lawsuit by three canine officers against the city. The lawsuit alleged the three deserved higher pay.

Officer Paul Hubka pleaded no contest last week to misdemeanor animal neglect in the death of Forrest, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois. Hubka was fined $411 and agreed to pay half the cost of replacing the dog.

Aguirre said he expected Hubka to use some of the settlement to help the Police Department buy a system that automatically rolls down windows on squad cars on hot days.

-- Tony Perry