Hero Ontario police dog recovering after near-fatal fentanyl exposure

Maximus, a dog trained by the Ontario Provincial Police to perform search missions, was almost killed by breathing in a large quantity of fentanyl in the course of his duties while executing a search warrant last Thursday in the town of Leamington, Ontario, according to the Windsor Star.

In the course of performing his duties searching a residence on Erie Street South on that day, the attending K9 handler for Maximus noticed that the dog had become confused and unresponsive, and was experiencing difficulty breathing.

A life-saving dose of Naloxone was administered immediately. The dog is reported by the OPP to be on the mend, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

OPP officials at the scene found various undisclosed amounts of fentanyl at the residence, along with cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and amounts of Canadian currency, according to the OPP’s press release.

A 57-year-old resident of Leamington has now been charged with three separate counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count for each of the three substances uncovered in the search.

Officer seized a quantity of fentanyl, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and Canadian currency, police said.

The OPP has a zero-tolerance policy for people who are caught trafficking in controlled substances, which will continue to be strictly and thoroughly enforced, according to Inspector Glenn Miller of Essex County OPP.

Fentanyl continues to be a problem Canada-wide and a top priority for law enforcement all across the country.