Detective pleads guilty to animal cruelty and receives sentencing

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office has announced the sentencing of Detective Matt Wilhite in regards to the death of K-9 Cooper.

After pleading guilty on Tuesday to one count of animal cruelty, a misdemeanor of the first degree, Wilhite received a 30-day suspended jail sentence, a fine of $250, 60 hours of community service, and a five-year ban on new pet ownership.

K-9 Cooper was left in Wilhites car on Sept. 5 where he died of heat exhaustion. The detective believed the air conditioner was on but mistakenly had the controls set to defrost. According the internal investigation by the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, Wilhite failed to utilize a temperature monitor that could have notified him of the high temperatures which is a violation of the sheriff’s office policies.

The Nov. 4 press release reads “The resolution of this case takes into consideration the loss of Cooper and the reckless actions that resulted in his death. It also takes into consideration Detective Wilhite’s actions in immediately accepting responsibility and fully cooperating with law enforcement as well as his genuine remorse, that he has no prior criminal record, and has dedicated his life to service of his community, including 25 years of service at the sheriff’s office. Additionally, Det. Wilhite was disciplined by the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office.”

While the investigation and court case were in progress, the detective was on paid administrative leave. Now that the case is resolved, Wilhite will receive a 10-day unpaid suspension from work at the sheriff’s office and then return to work with a demoted rank.