Collier County suspends ride-along program after dog dies

What happened

A dog from a Collier County shelter died inside a county vehicle. Collier County suspended its ride-along program after the death.

The program allowed members of the public to ride in county vehicles with shelter dogs, based on the description of the program in the WINK News report. The county’s suspension stops that activity while the matter is addressed.

What is known

The death involved a shelter dog and a county car. The program suspension is the county action tied to the incident.

The circumstances of the dog’s death, including when it occurred and what happened inside the vehicle, have not been stated. The length of the suspension and whether the county plans to change the program have also not been stated.

What happens next

The county’s handling of the ride-along program will determine whether it remains suspended, returns under new rules or is ended. Any county announcement, review or public record addressing the dog’s death could add details about the incident and the program’s future.

WINK News reported the dog’s death and the program’s suspension.