Maine public safety dog dies in state vehicle which 'unexpectedly' stopped running
May 29—The state's "first official comfort dog" died Wednesday while inside a vehicle that "unexpectedly" stopped running.
Baxter, a 3-year-old chocolate Labrador, was found dead inside a state vehicle at the Bangor Regional Communications Center around 2 p.m.. The vehicle, which he was regularly transported in, stopped running and the air conditioning turned off, the Department of Public Safety said in a statement Thursday.
The agency is conducting an inspection to determine why and how the vehicle malfunctioned. A spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about how long the dog was left inside the vehicle and what type of vehicle he was in.
Baxter was brought on to the Maine Bureau of Emergency Communications in 2022 to "help improve the mood and well-being of first-line responders in Maine's three emergency communication centers," the Department of Public Safety said.
This story will be updated.
Copy the Story Link
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Andrew County earns Blue Shield designation
ANDREW COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Andrew County Sheriff's Office received the Missouri Blue Shield designation for the community's commitment to improving public safety. The Missouri Blue Shield program recognizes local governments across that state that work to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration and enhance public safety through community partnerships. Gov. Mike Kehoe established the program in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03. 'The Department of Public Safety is proud to work alongside communities like the Andrew County Sheriff's Office that have shown exceptional dedication to enhancing public safety,' said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety. 'This program is about fostering collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Our goal is to support these efforts, providing resources and guidance to help communities build sustainable, long-term solutions for crime reduction and public safety.' Communities that earn the Blue Shield will be reviewed annually to ensure continued commitment to the program's goals. Those with the designation will also get grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment through Gov. Kehoe's recommended state budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Palm Coast man facing felony after choking one of his dogs to death, report says
A Palm Coast man was arrested after he choked on his dogs to death after it attacked one of his chihuahuas. The man had completed an anger management class in a previous case in which he reportedly punched a neighbor who had agitated his dogs. Howard Taft Blair, 55, was charged with felony cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Blair was booked into the Flagler County jail on Thursday where he remained Saturday on $2,500 bond, according to online jail records. The investigation began after Blair's wife called the sheriff's office asking for a deputy to stand by at the home while she picked up her belongings Jan. 24. The wife said she was leaving Blair after what happened the night before. While the deputy stood by, Blair, who smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes, began speaking, the affidavit stated. He told the deputy that he and his wife owned five dogs which all lived inside the house. He said one of the dogs, Nutmeg, was a 60-pound mix between an American bulldog and a Labrador. Blair also said they had three teacup chihuahuas named Jackson, Pico and Squirrel and another small mixed-breed dog. Blair said after he and his wife finished dinner, he put his plate on the floor so the dogs could finish the gravy. But then Jackson, the chihuahua, growled at 60-pound Nutmeg, causing Nutmeg to attack Jackson. The chihuahua suffered fatal injuries, according to the affidavit. Blair said Nutmeg had 'gotten ahold' of Jackson once before, but had not caused as much damage as this time. Blair said he separated Nutmeg from Jackson and then chased Nutmeg back into the living room. Blair then choked Nutmeg to death, the affidavit stated. Then he buried her under a slab in the backyard. Blair said about Nutmeg, 'there was no spanking her and putting her in the crate, it was that moment emotion,' the affidavit stated. Blair said his wife had asked why he didn't instead put Nutmeg in a crate. Blair said he had contacted a vet about 'behavioral euthanasia' but due to the violence, he could not wait to take her to a vet, the affidavit stated. The report noted that Blair had separated Nutmeg and she was no longer a threat to Jackson or any of the other dogs but Blair still choked her to death next to her crate. Deputies asked the wife if Blair had 'violent tendencies' and she said told them 'typically he does not and he is a very loving person, but this was cruel and sick.' The dog's body was not retrieved, the affidavit stated. Blair was arrested in 2019 on a less serious misdemeanor charge. In that case, a neighbor said Blair "sucker punched" him during a disagreement over the neighbor's mother-in-law, according to a charging affidavit. The neighbor "admitted to purposely agitating" Blair's dogs, the affidavit stated. He said Blair told him to leave and as he did, Blair struck him in the face, the affidavit stated. Blair told police that the neighbor had been stirring up and making gestures at his dogs, causing them to bark, the affidavit stated. Blair admitted to hitting the neighbor. Blair entered a deferred prosecution agreement in which he successfully completed an eight-hour anger management class. Prosecutors then dropped the battery charge against him. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida man kills his dog after it attacks his chihuahua, report says
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Beneficial, wet weather will aid wildfire concerns in Atlantic Canada
[Improving weather conditions has helped fire crews in Newfoundland and Labrador]( battle a blaze near located near Churchill Falls, with more rain in the forecast for the Atlantic region this weekend. The rainfall won't be excessive by any means, but will help quell the ongoing blaze near Churchill Falls and lower the overall wildfire threat in Atlantic Canada. DON'T MISS: Amounts could hit 20-30 mm in Newfoundland, a big assist to the fire crews, but gusty winds on Saturday could reduce the amount of help the rain provinces. Up to 50 mm of rainfall is possible in parts of New Brunswick through Sunday. In fact, parts pf northern Labrador could even see some snow this weekend--not the first time that's happened in Canada this late in the spring (or even the second), either. The fire danger rating has gradually improved, and is expected to continue easing over the coming days. A low-pressure system is set to track from the northeastern United States into the Maritimes on Saturday morning, delivering widespread rain to all three provinces by the afternoon. As this system shifts northward, scattered rain is forecast to persist in the Maritimes through the evening, and move into Newfoundland during the overnight hours. Most significantly, Labrador will see substantial rainfall starting late Saturday night. Rain will dominate much of Sunday across Labrador before easing into the evening hours. Parts of northern Labrador will even face a slight risk of snow. DON'T MISS: Unfortunately, strong wind gusts of 40-60 km/h are forecast throughout Saturday for Labrador, including Churchill Falls. Up to 20-30 mm of rain is expected in Churchill Falls, which will assist in wildfire efforts. Residents should remain prepared however, for any changing conditions.
