By Susannah Sudborough
masslive.com
WILMINGTON, Mass. — A Wilmington police therapy dog was killed Tuesday morning in a head-on car crash in Tewksbury, according to police.
Zena, a 3-year-old Bernese mountain dog-poodle crossbreed, died after a driver crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided with her handler’s Toyota Camry, Wilmington police said in a press release.
| DOWNLOAD: Field ready training: A police trainer’s guide to reduce risk, improve performance
The dog’s handler, Wilmington Police Department clinician Samantha Cavanaugh, was also injured in the crash, the department said. An ambulance took Cavanaugh to a local hospital for treatment.
“We are heartbroken today because Zena was a beloved member of our Wilmington Police family, and a beloved member of our community,” Wilmington Police Chief Brian Pupa said in the release. “For three years, Zena put residents and families at ease even during the toughest of times, and her work will not be forgotten. She served her community well.”
The crash happened on Whipple Road near Wells Drive around 8 a.m., Tewksbury police said in a press release. A preliminary investigation determined that a 26-year-old Westminster woman driving a Mazda 3 was responsible for the crash.
The Mazda driver was also injured in the crash and taken to a local hospital for treatment, Tewksbury police said. Both she and Cavanaugh had non-life-threatening injuries.
An ambulance took Zena to Bulger Animal Hospital in Lawrence following the crash, as per Nero’s Law, which allows ambulances to take police dogs to animal hospitals when their lives are at risk, Wilmington police said. She died at the hospital.
The Mazda driver will receive a court summons on one count of negligent operation of a motor vehicle and a marked lanes violation, Tewksbury police said. The police department declined to release her name prior to filing its criminal complaint against her.
Zena joined the Wilmington Police Department as a comfort dog in January 2022 when she was only eight weeks old, Wilmington police said. In addition to their frequent visits to schools and community events, Cavanaugh and Zena were often called upon to help residents with behavioral, mental health, substance use and development issues.
“Zena brought smiles to all who met her whether it be a visit to a community group, a school, the senior center, or walking around the annual Fun On The Fourth festival,” the police department wrote.
Tewksbury police are still investigating the crash.
©2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit masslive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
