More Maine Agencies Investigate Death Of Therapy Dog In Hot Car

The death of a therapy dog, trained to help comfort Maine dispatchers, is now being investigated by the Animal Welfare Program and the Maine Department of Agriculture.

Authorities say Baxter, a three-year-old chocolate lab, died in the back seat of a state car, which was parked at the Bangor Regional Communications Center in the hot sun on Wednesday, May 28th.

Initially, the Maine State Police were investigating the incident. They issued a statement this week saying they are not the only ones looking into the situation now.

"The information found during our review is now part of an independent investigation led by the Animal Welfare Program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). The Animal Welfare Program is responsible for enforcing the state’s animal welfare laws, including investigating cases involving animal deaths. Their work includes conducting interviews, on-site investigations, collecting evidence, collaborating with law enforcement agencies, coordinating with veterinarians, and supporting potential enforcement actions in collaboration with district attorneys."

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Baxter was the first of his kind: a therapy dog whose mission was to help improve the mood and well-being of first-line responders in Maine’s three emergency communication centers.

He had been working with local dispatchers since 2022.
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State Police were trying to get to the bottom of why the vehicle he was in shut down that day, causing internal temperatures to rise, ultimately killing the dog.

We're told the investigations are ongoing and that more information is expected to be released in the future.