KOTA KINABALU, Nov 9 — A Sabah Fire and Rescue Department search dog died a day after completing its final search-and-rescue mission, bringing nearly nine years of service with the department’s K9 unit to an end.

The 10-year-old Labrador Retriever, named Lexi, was found dead in its kennel at 6.15am last Friday, according to a report by Harian Metro.

Lexi had taken part in a search operation for a missing person in Kampung Pulutan Membawang, Menggatal, on November 5, making it the dog’s final assignment with the rescue team.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department K9 unit chief Calvin Joe Jeafery said Lexi had been accompanied by its handler, fireman Arthur Anderson Walter, during the operation.