Officer Pleads No Contest In K-9's Death

SAN DIEGO -- A veteran officer whose police dog died when he left the animal in a car with the windows rolled up pleaded no contest Thursday to a misdemeanor count of leaving a dog in a confined vehicle causing death.

Paul Hubka, a 22-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department, left Forrest, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, in his car June 20 in the driveway of his Alpine home.

Investigators determined that Forrest may have been in the vehicle with the windows rolled up for as long as seven hours on a day in which the high temperature in the East County was well over 100 degrees. The dog succumbed to heat stroke.

Hubka was not present in court as his change of plea was entered by defense attorney Rick Pinckard.

He was immediately sentenced by Judge Dwayne K. Moring to three years probation and ordered to pay a fine of $411.

Hubka was also ordered to pay the San Diego Police Department $4,941 for Forrest, and to perform 100 hours of community service at a nonprofit organization.

"This was an absolutely devastating event," Pinckard told reporters outside court. "It was essentially a mistake. That dog is a part of his life. (Hubka) is an animal lover himself."

The attorney said the officer wanted to resolve the case as soon as possible.

"Mr. Hubka wants to move on with his life," Pinckard said.

A no-contest plea typically cannot be used against a defendant in civil proceedings.

Earlier this month, San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre filed a civil lawsuit seeking more than $25,000 from Hubka.

The city attorney's lawsuit accuses Hubka of "reckless and/or negligent acts" and seeks replacement costs for the canine and to train a new police dog.

Aguirre said police dogs cost about $7,000 and are insured for $50,000.