The Park City Police Department on Wednesday said it was determined that the proper protocol was followed when a police K9 was dispatched in September and the dog jumped off a freeway overpass while assisting in an investigation. The K9, Bruno, survived the September fall. However, he fractured his jaw and broke two legs. The investigation involved a suspicious item that was determined to be a broken-apart car battery in the area of the flyover between U.S. 40 and Interstate 80. The canine leaped from the flyover and hit the roadway below. The Police Department, which also released video footage of the incident on Wednesday, said the agency reviewed the incident internally and requested an independent review by Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, which certifies officers in the state. The independent review found that the officer “deployed K9 Bruno in accordance with standard POST K-9 tactics,” the Police Department said in a one-page statement. “As this video shows, this was an unfortunate incident that occurred during a serious law enforcement response,” Police Chief Wade Carpenter said in a prepared statement. “Bruno is more than a police K-9. He’s a partner, a companion, and part of our police family. From the moment he was injured, Officer Henderson and fellow first responders did everything they could to comfort Bruno and get him the care he needed. We’re grateful for the outpouring of support for Bruno and his handler as he continues to recover.” The statement said Bruno is recovering. The chocolate Labrador retriever is the agency’s first-ever canine officer. He is trained to detect bombs and explosives. The video of the incident, which may be disturbing to some viewers, begins with a recording of a 911 call from someone who said they had previous Homeland Security training and reported a suspicious item. This was followed by the arrival of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and the Utah Highway Patrol. The police K9 was summoned as well. The Sheriff’s Office used a drone to assess the location. The police officer who works with Bruno allowed the canine off-leash in an effort to provide the dog an opportunity to familiarize itself with the scene. They then returned to the police vehicle and drove to the area. The vehicle’s dash camera continued to record during the investigation. The video narration explains that canines trained to detect explosives can be used off-leash to create distance between a human officer and a device. The officer signaled Bruno to start the search by motioning with a ball and telling the dog to find the ball. The narration says the cue is standard training for police canines. Bruno then moves in the direction of the item before turning left and jumping over the side of the flyover. The officer immediately rushes to the barrier, runs back to the vehicle and drives to the location where Bruno landed. The canine is found on the road. The officer stops, gets out of the vehicle and runs to Bruno. The video shows the officer on the ground comforting Bruno and stopping Bruno from attempting to stand. An ambulance transported Bruno to a landing zone for a medical helicopter. The helicopter took him to a veterinary facility in Salt Lake City. The Police Department said Bruno is recovering from his injuries. Animal rights group calls for Bruno’s retirement The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, in a Friday letter urged the police chief to remove Bruno from service. The text of the letter: “I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) regarding K-9 Bruno, who was injured when he jumped off a freeway overpass. We understand that many K-9s are regarded as colleagues and members of their handlers’ families, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Given this incident, would you please retire Bruno and consider this an opportunity to reassess the use of dogs?” It continued: “Police work is inherently dangerous for everyone involved, including dogs like Bruno. Ongoing improvements and innovations in technology provide exciting opportunities to phase out the use of K-9s with equipment such as tactical robots, drones, or portable mass spectrometers, which enhance safety and operational efficiency without risking anyone’s life. … Thank you for your consideration and for all that you do to keep your community safe.” The post Park City police say officer followed proper protocol before K9 officer jumped from overpass appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less