Park City police say handler followed protocol before K9 Bruno jumped from overpass
An independent review requested by the department found the dog was deployed in line with standard tactics, and PETA has urged his retirement.
Based on reporting by The Park Record. Read the original story →
The Park City Police Department said Wednesday it determined that proper protocol was followed when police K9 Bruno was deployed in September and jumped off a freeway overpass, the Park Record reported. [1]
Bruno survived the Sept. 15 fall but fractured his jaw and broke two legs, according to the Park Record. The call involved a suspicious item near the flyover between U.S. 40 and Interstate 80 that was later determined to be a broken-apart car battery. The department said it reviewed the incident internally and requested an independent review by Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training, which it said found the officer deployed Bruno in accordance with standard POST K-9 tactics. [1]
The department released video of the incident. Police said the video shows the officer letting the dog off-leash and cueing the search with a ball before Bruno moved toward the item, turned left and jumped over the side. Police said the officer rushed to the dog, and an ambulance took Bruno to a medical helicopter that flew him to a veterinary facility in Salt Lake City. Police said he is recovering. [1]
Chief Wade Carpenter said in a statement that it was an unfortunate incident during a serious law enforcement response and called Bruno a partner and part of the department's family. In a letter Friday, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals urged the chief to retire Bruno and reassess the use of dogs, suggesting alternatives such as drones and tactical robots. [1]
Sources
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