Maine's first official comfort dog is found dead in sweltering hot state vehicle
The death of Maine 's first official comfort dog is under investigation after the beloved pooch was left to bake to death inside a state vehicle.
Baxter, 3, a Chocolate Labrador retriever, was found dead inside the vehicle late last month while it was parked at the Bangor Regional Communications Center in Bangor.
Officials in the Pine Tree State said the pup had been left in the running vehicle but that something caused the engine to cut out, causing the air conditioning to stop.
At the time, the National Weather Service said that Bangor had reached a high temperature of 83 degrees.
The Department of Public Safety said that the vehicle in question was undergoing a inspection to identify any potential faults.
On Wednesday, the department said it would be investigating the circumstances surrounding the dog's death.
The probe is being led by the Animal Welfare Program, which forms part of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF).
Baxter had joined the state bureau of Emergency Communications in 2022 to offer emotional support to telecommunicators at three regional dispatch centers.
State officials said the pup had been left in the running vehicle but that something caused the engine to cut out, causing the air conditioning to stop
Laura Barker, founder of Hero Pups, a non profit that provides dogs to first responders, described Baxter as being 'a great dog with a love for life.'
'During the training process we go through a lot of the obedience, the dogmanship stuff, the handling, the transportation,' she told WABI5.
'We can make recommendations, but once the dog leaves us we don't have any say on that matter anymore.
'I'm hoping this will get people talking and really be more committed to the care of the dogs on a broader scope, not just doing a job.'
Barker added that Baxter had made a huge impact in people's lives in his short time, adding that his handler was 'devastated'.
She had set up the organization to support veterans and first responders after her son was wounded in Afghanistan.
Baxter was the first comfort dog the organization had sent to Maine.
He came from a litter that needed constant care due to his mother's health issues.
'His calming and cheerful presence will be deeply missed by all those who interacted with him,' the DPS said in a statement following Baxter's passing.
'The department extends its deepest condolences to Baxter's handler and his family, as well as the entire emergency telecommunication team.'
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