Special prosecutor appointed in K-9 death

By NewsPress Now

Another state office now is involved in the case of the death of a Savannah police dog.

Andrew County Prosecutor Monica Morrey said the Missouri Attorney General’s office will serve as special prosecutor in the death of Savannah K-9 officer Horus.

Morrey said she first heard of the dog’s death on June 22, and on June 23, she requested a special investigation into the matter by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. That investigation is still pending, she said.

“Yesterday, June 27, 2024, I requested appointment of a special prosecutor to review any and all future submissions from the Missouri State Highway Patrol regarding the death of K-9 Horus, so as to avoid the appearance of any undue bias due to my working relationship with the Savannah Police Department,” Morrey said. “This morning, Presiding Judge (Kate) Schaefer signed an order appointing the Office of the Missouri Attorney General as special prosecutor in this matter.”

The dog died on June 20 after completing an overnight shift in Savannah, according to a press release from the Savannah Police Department. Reports citing the Savannah Police Department and Police Chief David Vincent said that Horus died after being left in a vehicle overnight.

A candlelight vigil for Horus is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday at Messick Park in Savannah.