Overheating in cars is the leading cause of traumatic death for K9 units.
Police cars are heavily modified, but they are still based on consumer vehicle architecture, much like a shared code base.
Sounds like handler misconduct to me, but hey -- it's easier to blame the vehicle!
Too bad civillians don't have the same luxury of blaming the equipment.[0][1][2]
It's ridiculous -- and eye-opening -- that k9 units get that kind of treatment. I was always under the misconception (which is probably purposely portrayed in the media) that the dogs were treated as partners -- not tools. I guess that was too hopeful on my part.
[0]: https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2017/10/16/owners-cha...
[1]: http://morgancountycitizen.com/2017/10/03/dog-left-in-car-di...
[2]: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-woman-arrested-d...