A New Jersey officer has been criminally charged with causing the deaths of two police dogs by leaving them locked inside a hot patrol car.

Cody Henderson, a K-9 dog handler in Salem County, faces multiple charges related to the deaths of police dogs Rip and Boomer, who were allegedly left inside his hot car for approximately seven hours on May 29.

According to prosecutors, Henderson left them with the car turned off and without proper ventilation on the 81F (27C) day.

A parked vehicle can heat up quickly on a hot day. Experts say leaving a window slightly open doesn’t help much, and anyone who sees a dog suffering inside a car on a hot day should call emergency services.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office said Henderson “has been formally charged in connection with the deaths of his assigned canine companions.”

He is charged with animal cruelty, failure to care for a live animal and unlawfully restraining an animal in dangerous conditions.

Rip (a four-year-old Belgian Malinois) and Boomer (a six-year-old Springer Spaniel) are mourning the community, which was left wondering how they died for months before charges were filed this week.

“Rip and Boomer exemplified the highest standards of service, loyalty and dedication,” the Salem County Sheriff’s Office wrote on social media Wednesday.

“The loss of these loyal partners has had a profound impact on our agency, our law enforcement community, and the citizens they faithfully served,” the statement added.

Rip was trained to detect narcotics, while Boomer was trained to detect bombs.

A Facebook post announcing their deaths in late May had more than 700 interactions. The publication praised the dogs, saying, “Their loyalty, service and dedication to protecting the residents of Salem County will never be forgotten.”

The post also asked residents: “Please keep our K-9 handler and his family, along with our entire K-9 unit, in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

The publication does not name Henderson or suggest he played any role in their deaths.

Henderson is on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the case and is scheduled to appear in court on July 30.