KOTA KINABALU: After nearly a decade of dedicated service in search and rescue operations, ‘Lexi’, a Fire and Rescue Department K9 unit sniffer dog, has died.
This comes a day after taking part in her final mission.
The Labrador Retriever was found lifeless in her kennel about 61.5am on Friday.
On Thursday, Lexi was still carrying out her duties as a sniffer dog, taking part in a search operation for a missing person in Kampung Pulutan Membawang, Menggatal, on Nov 5.
That operation proved to be the last for Lexi, brought in from the United Kingdom in 2017.
Sabah Fire and Rescue Deoartment K9 unit head Calvin Joe Jeafery said Lexi had been on the SAR mission along with her handler, Athur Anderson Walter.
He said, after the operation ended and Lexi returned to the fire station, she underwent her usual care routine, including being bathed and fed.
“Lexi finished the food given to her and showed no changes in behaviour after returning from the operation.
“However, during the routine kennel inspection the following morning, on-duty personnel noticed that Lexi did not respond when called. Further examination revealed that Lexi had died,” he said.
Calvin said, according to her medical records, Lexi had a history of stage two heart disease, in addition to a growth on her gums.
He said the sniffer dog was under veterinary supervision and had received treatment, including antibiotics, gastric medication and anti-inflammatory drugs.
“However, the actual cause of Lexi’s death has yet to be determined pending the post-mortem report from the Sabah Veterinary Services Department,” he said.
Lexi was trained in the “SAR Wilderness” discipline, specialising in search operations for missing persons in forests and other challenging terrain.