Berlin PD's K-9 Officer Goes Missing, Found Hours Later: Police

BERLIN, CT — Just like police officers are human beings too, then K-9 officers are still dogs, and they can, occasionally, do what dogs sometimes do.

The Berlin Police Department learned that last weekend, when an off-duty K-9 officer, Casner, "suddenly disappeared" from his handler's backyard and was missing for several hours Friday night, Sept. 5.

BPD spokesman Drew Gallupe said Tuesday such behavior is "uncharacteristic of this K-9, who normally responds to command immediately."

Gallupe said Casner's handler, Officer Aimee Krzykowski, searched the area and couldn't find him, with other K-9 handlers in the area called in to help.

This prompted a wider search that lasted into Saturday morning, with the organization CT Dog Gone Recovery called in to assist in finding Casner.

Dog Gone is a volunteer network that gets the word out about missing dogs statewide, with the hope that volunteers and the public can find missing or lost dogs.

Gallupe said Casner's handler's home is located in a wooded area, which made finding him difficult.

"She lives in a rural area with extensive wooded sections, which complicated the search. The next morning, he was found nearby safe and sound," Gallupe said.

Gallupe said off-duty police canines rarely go missing for any amount of time, but it does happen occasionally.

As a result, Gallupe said the Berlin PD is looking into the possibility of having GPS collars on its police dogs should they decide to go on an unauthorized excursion.