Video shows moment Utah police dog is seriously injured while jumping from overpass | Utah

Video of the moment a police dog named Bruno jumped from a highway overpass and was seriously injured has been released by authorities in Utah, as the animal continues to recover at home.

Bruno, a bomb-sniffing dog, suffered two broken legs and a fractured jaw in the September incident while helping Utah State Troopers investigate a suspicious package found abandoned on the side of the road in Summit County.

The Park City Police Department this week released dash camera footage of the moments before, during and after Bruno’s sudden jump onto a roadway under a ramp connecting I-80 and U.S. 40.

The video ends with the two-year-old chocolate Labrador being flown by helicopter to a veterinarian in Salt Lake City for emergency surgery.

A distressing scene shows Bruno being comforted on the ground by his handler, Wayne Henderson, after the dog tries to get back on his feet.

“As this video shows, this was an unfortunate incident that occurred during a serious law enforcement response,” Park City Police Chief Wade Carpenter said in a statement reported by the Park Record.

“Bruno is more than a police K-9. He is a partner, a companion and a member of our police family. From the moment he was injured, Officer Henderson and his fellow first responders did everything they could to comfort Bruno and provide him with the care he needed.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of support for Bruno and his owner as he continues to recover.”

The video includes the 911 call and other footage related to the emergency response to Bruno’s fall. The dog is seen chasing a ball thrown by Henderson toward the object, an action described in the video as a signal for Bruno to work, then veers across the roadway and jumps over the concrete wall.

The package, reported as suspicious by a motorist, turned out to be harmless road debris, specifically a battery believed to have fallen from a vehicle.

Carpenter said Bruno continues to recover from his injuries. It is unclear whether he will return to work. In a statement released after his operation, police said: “Bruno still has a long road to go, but we are very happy to see him home and on the mend. »