Former Maine official cleared after comfort dog dies in parked car
Brodie Hinckley, a former Maine public safety communications director, has been found not guilty of animal cruelty after Baxter, a three-year-old chocolate Labrador used as a comfort dog, died in his parked state vehicle. The judge found no evidence Hinckley intended to harm the dog, accepting that he believed the vehicle’s climate control was operating.
Baxter was left in the car for about four hours on 28 May last year, when outside temperatures exceeded 80°F (about 27°C), and was found dead after the vehicle apparently shut off without warning. Hinckley was placed on leave, later resigned amid death threats and alleged hostility, while an independent investigation led to the civil violation charge; the incident also prompted excessive calls to state dispatch centres.
- Judge finds no intentional harm in Baxter’s death.
- Vehicle’s climate control apparently stopped without warning.
- Hinckley resigned after threats and workplace hostility.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Executive whose life was destroyed after adorable chocolate Labrador comfort dog died in hot car is identified, as judge finds him not guilty”.