A state official facing an animal cruelty charge in connection with the death of Maine’s first official comfort dog has resigned, the Maine Department of Public Safety said.
Brodie Hinckley, the former director of the Maine Bureau of Emergency Communications, is accused of leaving Baxter, a 3-year-old chocolate Labrador, in a state vehicle for more than four hours on a hot day, according to the Penobscot County District Attorney’s office.
Hinckley was charged with a civil violation of animal cruelty last month. He was placed on paid administrative leave before resigning from the Department of Public Safety on Oct. 3, a spokesperson for the department said Monday.
Hinckley did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Neither did an attorney representing him.
Baxter was trained to comfort dispatchers statewide. He died in a car outside of the Bangor Regional Communications Center on May 28.
The charge against Hinckley stemmed from an independent investigation by the Animal Welfare Program into Baxter’s death. Hinckley’s arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 6 in Bangor, Penobscot County District Attorney Christopher Almy said.
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