Lexi’s final mission: Sabah rescue dog dies after helping find missing man following nine years of service

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 9 — A beloved search dog named Lexi, who had faithfully served the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department for nearly nine years, passed away early Friday morning after completing her final rescue mission. The 10-year-old Labrador Retriever, who had been with the department since 2017, was found unresponsive in her kennel just hours after participating in a search operation that rescued a missing individual from Kampung Pulutan Membawang, Menggatal. Her handler, fireman Arthur Anderson Walter, was by her side throughout the operation.

Lexi had shown no signs of distress before her final task, dining well and appearing healthy. However, her demise came the following morning when she was discovered unresponsive during a routine inspection. The cause of death remains under investigation as veterinary authorities await the results of a post-mortem examination. Lexi’s journey with the rescue team included specialized training in wilderness search-and-rescue operations and she proved her mettle in challenging terrain. Her career with the department concluded with her final mission in Menggatal.