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DUPLIN COUNTY, N.C. — A highly-trained K-9 is dead and its deputy handler reassigned after he left the animal in his cruiser overnight.

Kela assisted with the Duplin County Sheriff Office and was highly-trained. (Images: WITN-TV via NDN)
Kela assisted with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and was highly-trained. (Images: WITN-TV via NDN)

The Duplin County sheriff says Deputy Kevin Williams was on duty when he got a call that his child was sick and needed to be picked up from school.

When Williams arrived home, he fed the dog, but forgot to take “Kela” out of the cruiser.

The dog was found dead the next morning, according to authorities.

Kela was a Belgian Shepherd trained to track down people and narcotics.

The deputy has been reassigned to courthouse baliff.

The sheriff says the district attorney’s office did not bring charges against Williams because there was no criminal intent.

CNN contributed to this report.