VIERA, Fla. — A police officer in Florida has been charged with animal cruelty over the death of his K-9 partner.

Prosecutors in Florida’s Space Coast said Wednesday they have filed a first-degree misdemeanor charge against Officer Eric Antosia of the Sebastian Police Department.

Authorities say the police dog, Diesel, was left unattended in Antosia’s hot patrol car outside a courthouse last April.

Antosia discovered the German shepherd several hours later in his vehicle and called 911 to report the death.

Local media report that the officer has been put on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.