Dashcam released when K9 Bruno jumped off an overpass and onto the interstate
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Park City, UT - An independent review determined that Park City Police K9 Bruno was deployed in accordance with standard K9 tactics when he jumped from a freeway overpass Sept. 15, the department announced Tuesday alongside a video documenting the incident.
Bruno, a certified explosives detection K9, and his handler, Officer Henderson, were assisting the Utah Highway Patrol with a suspicious object reported on the flyover ramp connecting U.S. 40 to westbound I-80 in Silver Summit. Bruno was deployed off leash, consistent with explosive detection training, which creates distance between the handler and a potential hazard. Bruno’s training for these scenarios was also conducted off leash.
Dash camera footage shows Bruno beginning his search pattern, briefly looking back, then unexpectedly moving to the opposite side of the roadway and jumping over the concrete barrier separating the flyover from eastbound I-80 below.
At the department’s request, the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training K9 Program conducted an independent review of reports and footage and found Officer Henderson “deployed K9 Bruno in accordance with standard POST K-9 tactics.”
The object was later determined to be a car battery that had fallen off a vehicle and broken apart along the roadway. A UHP K9 brought in to continue the investigation did not alert to it.
“As this video shows, this was an unfortunate incident that occurred during a serious law enforcement response,” Police Chief Wade Carpenter said in a statement.
Bruno received emergency treatment at MedVet in Salt Lake City for two broken legs and a jaw injury. He continues to receive medical care and is recovering at home.