For those who have been following the traumatic crash that involved 10 hunting beagles, there is happy news this morning. Whiskey, the beagle who had gone missing after the I95 crash, was found.

The following arrived from the Maine Office of Public Safety Sept. 18:

On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at approximately 8 p.m., the Augusta Regional Communications Center received two calls from motorists advising they had seen what appeared to be a dog, possibly Whiskey, the lone missing hunting dog from a recent crash, around mile 11 northbound on I-95 in the town of York. 

Maine State Police Trooper Matthew Williams began searching the area, lighting up the wood line as much as possible using cruiser lights and a flashlight.  Trooper Williams eventually noticed a couple eyes shining back at him from the woods. 

Trooper Williams stopped his cruiser and was able to see Whiskey’s head through the tall grass.  Whiskey began howling at Trooper Williams.  Whiskey was weak and shaking, but otherwise appeared to be uninjured. 

“Whiskey could barely stand up when he was found,” he said. “Fortunately he made himself visible enough for passing traffic to notice him, then made his way back into the woods. He was actually down at the bottom of an embankment just south of the Clay Hill Rd overpass at mile 12, with a guardrail along the highway, so it is unlikely anyone would have seen him there.  If I hadn’t gotten that fortunate moment of his eye reflection, which then disappeared, I would not have seen him at all.  Eye reflections in the wood line are common…I frequently see deer, bear, coyote, and even bobcat down here; this time, fortunately,  it happened to be Whiskey.

“I brought a piece of chicken down with me to win his trust and give him the energy necessary to get him back up the embankment.  He then finished off my dinner, two chicken breasts and a cheese stick and drank nearly 2 liters of water. That was the last time he walked last night, I had to carry him after that.  He’s a survivor.  I’m so glad this part of the story had a happy ending, but I would also like to add that there is also a human being, the passenger in the crash that is still in serious condition so it would be wonderful if prayers and support could keep  coming for him.”    

Trooper Williams walked Whiskey back to the cruiser where he was given food and water.  Whiskey was turned over to the Ogunquit Police and Animal Control Officer where he will be cared for until reunification with his owner.