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MEDINA – An officer facing two counts of companion animal cruelty, after his K-9 partner died, entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

Montville Sgt. Brett Harrison’s not guilty pleas were submitted in writing by his attorney Dominic Vitantonio.

Since the pleas were submitted in writing, Harrison did not have to appear in Medina Municipal Court Wednesday to face the second degree misdemeanor charges.

Court official say a trial date will be set at a later date.

The ‎Montville Police K-9 Beny died in September after he was left in Harrison’s cruiser for more than four hours.

Police say Harrison didn’t leave the windows open and the cruiser was turned off.

The temperature at the time Harrison arrived at the station was 69 degrees and it was 79 degrees when the dog was discovered.

Harrison has expressed his deepest apologies and grief over the loss of Berry.

Montville Township police have now purchased a temperature control system in an effort to prevent another police dog from dying.