A New Orleans Police officer has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals linked to the death of his K-9 partner who died from heat exhaustion after being left in a locked police car. It happened May 27, 2009.

Jason Lewis entered the plea Wednesday before Judge Terry Alarcon. He was given a six-month suspended sentence, six months probation and was ordered to pay $12,000, the cost to replace a trained police dog.

Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas says Lewis has been reassigned to administrative desk duties pending review of the case.

Jeff Dorson of the Humane Society told WWL-TV that the dog suffered at least three seizures after his temperature reached more than 108 degrees.

A photo released after the dog's death shows the inside of Lewis' cruiser, after the 6-year-old Belgian Malnois named Primo destroyed it trying to escape.