Maine Law Enforcement Comfort Dog Handler Cited for Dog’s Death

The person responsible for handling a comfort dog that died in a hot vehicle is facing charges.

Maine Police Charge Comfort Dog Handler for His Death

Brodie Hinckley is charged with a civil violation of animal cruelty. According to WMTW-TV, Hinckley is the state's emergency communications director.

He's been placed on paid administrative leave, effective immediately. He's due to appear in court on November 6, 2025.

READ MORE: 9 Times Maine Animals Have Taken over the Headlines

Maine Comfort Dog Was Trained to Help Law Enforcement Personnel Deal With Stress

Baxter was the state's first official comfort dog. His job was to provide support and comfort to Maine law enforcement dispatchers, whose jobs can often be stressful.

Maine Police Comfort Dog Found Deceased in a Hot Car in Bangor

On May 28, 2025, the three-year-old chocolate lab was found deceased in the back of a state vehicle outside the Bangor Regional Communications Center in Bangor. An initial investigation indicated the air-conditioned vehicle had unexpectedly shut off.

The car was parked in the hot sun, and Baxter was found in the vehicle at around 2 pm.

Officials have stated that the vehicle was frequently used to transport the dog. After Baxter's death, a thorough examination of the vehicle was conducted to determine whether a mechanical malfunction could have caused it to stop running unexpectedly.