When alcoholic homicide investigator Valnikov is transferred to a burglary case that seems to involve a creepy dogcatcher, he's also given a new partner -- the pragmatic Sgt. Natalie Zimmerman, who's experiencing a midlife crisis and does not welcome Valnikov's company. But as these emotionally bruised cops are drawn deeper into the bizarre world of dog shows, animal fanatics and pet cemeteries, they're also drawn to each other.
At the dog show, Philo drugs a schnauzer dog. Later, we find out the dog died from this dose. Towards the end of the movie, during the chase at the dog kennel, a doberman bites Philo and he shoots it several times, killing it. We see the body lying in the cage.