The fire department is mourning the loss of an arson K9 after the dog collapsed and passed away.
According to a press release Baxter passed away on November 27th of natural causes. Baxter was a three-year-old black lab from North Carolina, and graduated from the divisions accelerant detection program in June 2017. For the past 18 months Baxter has worked alongside Columbus Fire K9 Handler Lew Smith, and lived with Smith and his wife.
“Baxter died while doing what he loved best, which was playing Frisbee,” said Smith of his partner. Officials said Baxter collapsed after retrieving his Frisbee. An autopsy suggested that he died of natural causes. “It was just so sudden. I was shocked, naturally. But I can’t imagine a happier way to go. He was a rescue dog, not quite a pure breed. My wife says his 18 months with us was surely the happiest days of his life,” said Smith.