BANGOR, Maine — An investigation is underway after Maine’s first official comfort dog, Baxter, was found dead inside a state vehicle, officials said Friday.
Baxter’s death was “accidental,” the Maine Department of Public Safety said in a statement.
Baxter, a three-year-old chocolate lab, joined the Maine Bureau of Emergency Communications in 2022 as the state’s first official comfort dog, officials said.
Baxter was found dead inside a state vehicle located at the Bangor Regional Communications Center at approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday.
“DPS is currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding Baxter’s death,” officials said in their statement.
“The state vehicle, in which Baxter was regularly transported, is undergoing a thorough inspection to identify potential malfunctions that may have led it to unexpectedly stop running, which caused the vehicle’s air conditioning to cease operating,” officials said.
It was unclear Friday whether any state employees would face disciplinary action or charges in connection with Baxter’s death.
The department, meanwhile, is mourning his loss.
“As a comfort dog, Baxter’s mission was to help improve the mood and well-being of first-line responders in Maine’s three emergency communication centers; his calming and cheerful presence will be deeply missed by all those who interacted with him,” officials said in their statement.
“The Department extends its deepest condolences to Baxter’s handler and his family, as well as the entire emergency telecommunication team,” officials said.
Police and animal advocates routinely urge all pet owners not to leave their pets inside their vehicle for any amount of time.
The interior of a vehicle can rapidly become hot in a short amount of time which can lead to serious injury or death of an animal.
“ON A WARM DAY, the temperature in a car can exceed 120° in a matter of minutes—even with the windows partially open,“ according to The Humane Society of the United States. ”Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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