Bella’s Tragic End Exposes Systemic Gaps | Bend News

Bend News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Sep 9, 2026 · 1m

A beloved police dog named Bella died from heat stroke after being left unattended in a deputy’s patrol car for over 24 hours during an arson investigation. The tragic incident, which unfolded in August 2025 near La Pine, led to internal and criminal investigations, though no charges were filed. Instead, the Oregon Department of Justice urged the sheriff’s office to overhaul animal handling policies and implement new training — a crucial step toward preventing future tragedies like the death of K-9 Koda in 2027. Deputy Jonathan Ebner, who was involved, has returned to duty as reforms take…