Former deputy waiting to be sentenced after pleading no contest in the death of service K-9

Courtesy of the Cache County Sheriff's Office

LOGAN — A former Cache County Sheriff’s deputy, Jason B. Whittier will now wait to be sentenced, after pleading no contest in the death of a K-9 service dog. Endy died of heat exhaustion July 3, after being left unattended in a patrol vehicle.

Court records show, Whittier appeared in 1st District Court Monday morning. The 36-year-old Young Ward man accepted a plea agreement, pleading no contest to aggravated cruelty to an animal, a class B misdemeanor. The plea means he concedes the charges alleged without admitting guilt or offering a defense.

According to reports, Whittier accidentally left Endy secured in a patrol truck after their shift ended around noon on July 3, before taking part in family activities. Around 11:30 p.m. he realized the dog wasn’t in his outside kennel and discovered his body in the truck.

Whittier was reassigned, after temporarily being placed on unpaid leave during an internal investigation. He no longer works for the sheriff’s office.

Previously, Sheriff Chad Jensen said Endy’s death ignited a firestorm of hateful criticism nationally. He explained the dogs death was devastating not only to Whittier, but to all of law enforcement.

During Monday’s court appearance, Judge Thomas Willmore ordered a presentence report on Whittier’s criminal history. It will be done by probation officers. Sentencing was scheduled for November 13.

Whittier could face up to six-months in jail.

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