Lake County sheriff’s dog removed from partner after being left unattended in field

A Lake County sheriff’s dog has been removed from his handler after he was left unattended for more than 20 minutes by the deputy this spring, a sheriff’s official confirmed Sunday.

Meanwhile, a judge this month denied the deputy an injunction to keep the K9 Axel in his care.

Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the events leading to K9 Axel being removed from his partner occurred May 5 near Lake Bluff.

Covelli declined to name the deputy, but court records indicate the injunction was sought by Kevin Gauer, and previous communications from the sheriff’s office identity Gauer as Axel’s partner.

According to Covelli, the deputy was completing paperwork in his patrol vehicle, and Axel was outside in a nearby field, where he and the deputy had been playing fetch earlier. The field, Covelli said, borders Route 176, railroad tracks and buildings where people were coming and going.

At 1:40 p.m., the deputy received a low-priority call about railroad gates blocking the roadway near his location, Covelli said. The deputy waited 10 minutes then responded to the call, unknowingly leaving Axel behind in the field.

After completing his response to the railroad crossing, the deputy conducted a traffic stop and then continued patrol duties without realizing Axel wasn’t with him, Covelli said.

A member of the public later observed Axel wandering unattended and eating grass. The individual called Axel over and allowed the dog into his vehicle. He noticed Axel’s sheriff’s office collar and called the department, Covelli said.

A supervisor subsequently contacted the deputy and asked whether Axel was with him. The deputy initially indicated that he was, but when the supervisor instructed him to physically check for Axel, he realized his K9 partner was not with him, according to Covelli.

“The situation created a serious and unacceptable safety risk for both Axel and the public,” Covelli said. “We are extremely fortunate that Axel, the individual who found him, and everyone else involved were unharmed.”

Covelli said the decision to remove Axel from the deputy’s care followed an extensive administrative investigation by the sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards.

It is standard practice for a police dog to live with his partner while off duty.

The investigation resulted in several internal charges against the deputy, including violating the canine team operations policy, the vehicle operations policy, unsatisfactory performance and proper use and care of other sheriff’s office property, Covelli said.

Besides losing Axel, the deputy received a letter of reprimand, according to Covelli.

Covelli said several law enforcement agencies have shown interest in acquiring Axel, who is in the care of a professional training facility.

“Axel is healthy, capable of continuing to work, and is expected to have several years of productive service life remaining, before retiring from law enforcement,” he said.

szalusky@dailyherald.com