MEDINA, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio officer whose police dog died from heatstroke in his cruiser has pleaded not guilty on two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.

The Medina (meh-DY’-nuh) Municipal Court clerk’s office says an attorney filed the plea on behalf of Montville Township police Sgt. Brett Harrison.

Police say the two-year-old German shepherd, Beny, died Sept. 28 after Harrison left him in a cruiser in the station parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cruiser was off and the windows were closed.

Harrison previously issued a statement apologizing to the township, calling Beny a “partner, friend and loving family member.” Harrison received a two-week unpaid suspension and lost 40 hours of vacation.

A message was left for his attorney.

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