CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. (USA) — Buddy, the United States' former First Dog and (according to some public polls) the most respected character to occupy the White House at the end of the 20th century, died just outside his upstate New York home Wednesday afternoon.

According to Officer Bruce Cathie of the New Castle police, the 4-year-old Chocolate Lab was struck and killed by a Ford Explorer on Route 117, a busy two-lane road at the end of Old House Lane where the ex-president and family now live.

It was determined that the 17-year-old driver of the vehicle, Halie Ritterman was not at fault.  Officer Larry Green said that Buddy "just darted out in front of a car."

Secret Service agents indicated that Buddy ran off "playfully chasing a contractor" who had just left the property in a van.  Agents rushed after the dog and arrived at the accident scene moments after he had been struck, police reported.  Buddy was taken to the Chappaqua Animal Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A spokesperson for the Clinton family issued a statement that the former president and his wife are currently vacationing in Acapulco, but they are "deeply saddened by Buddy's death."

Buddy 1997-2002

Barney and Spotty, White House dogs, express their condolences along with the Bush family. (Photo: Susan Sterner / White House)