K-9 found dead at Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna
By SMYRNA — A Delaware Department of Correction K-9 was found dead inside a vehicle at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on Sunday, deputy bureau chief of prisons Paul Shavack said Wednesday.
Mr. Shavack said Lux, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois assigned to the Vaughn facility, was discovered dead by his handler in a marked Correction vehicle in the parking lot. The vehicle was parked, secured and idling.
A news release described the incident as “tragic” and said the Department of Correction was “saddened” to announce the passing.
The incident is under investigation by the department and the Delaware Office of Animal Welfare to determine the circumstances of Lux’s death.
“A thorough and comprehensive investigation is continuing and further details regarding the specifics of the incident will not be released at this time as to not compromise the integrity of the investigation,” Mr. Shavack said.
He said Lux was certified in patrol operations and contraband detection.
While he could not disclose the specific number of K-9s working at the Vaughn Correctional Center due to operational security, Mr. Shavack did say there are 29 department K-9s employed statewide.
