Police K-9 Bruno Injured In Overpass Fall During Response
A 2-year-old police K-9 from Park City, Utah, is back home after emergency surgery for broken legs and a fractured jaw sustained during an overpass fall.
A police K-9 sustained critical injuries while responding to a suspicious item on a Park City freeway overpass. The incident occurred in September during a police response to a suspicious item near a roadway, which led authorities to close portions of Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 40 near the Silver Summit area.
Bruno, the dog involved, jumped from a freeway overpass while officers were examining the item. The 2-year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever is the Park City Police Department's first-ever K-9 and serves as a bomb-sniffing dog. The routine police response took an unexpected and dangerous turn with the fall.
Medical Response
Emergency personnel provided immediate care at the scene. Bruno was then airlifted by Intermountain Life Flight helicopter to a veterinary hospital in Salt Lake City for urgent treatment.
Injury Details
Bruno suffered two broken legs and a fractured jaw from the fall. He underwent surgery for these injuries, and the procedure went well. The Park City Police Department confirmed Bruno was stable and in good spirits post-operation, doing well enough to be released from the hospital to continue recovering at home with his family.
Park City Police Department said: "Bruno’s homecoming was a welcome milestone following an incident that left the young K-9 needing emergency medical care." The police department stated Bruno is continuing to recuperate, though he remains on a lengthy recovery path.
Community Support
Multiple agencies collaborated in the rescue and treatment of the injured K-9. The Park City Police Department thanked the Summit County Sheriff's Office, Utah Highway Patrol, Park City Fire District, South Salt Lake Police, Intermountain Life Flight, and MedVet Animal Hospital for their support.
Investigators later determined the suspicious object was not dangerous. It appeared to be harmless road debris, possibly a battery from an electric bicycle, scooter, or similar device. The police department released dash-cam footage of the incident, which shows Bruno leaping from the overpass connecting I-80 and US 40. Bruno was handled by Officer Wayne Henderson during the response. Police Chief Wade Carpenter also made a statement about the incident. Bruno is now recuperating at home.
