PARK CITY, Utah — A Park City Police Department K-9 was injured after falling off a highway overpass during an investigation into a suspicious item that forced several roadway shutdowns Tuesday.
K-9 Bruno jumped an estimated 30-35 feet from the freeway overpass near the Highway 40/Interstate 80 interchange. Officers responded quickly and found Bruno was responsive on the ground below.
Bruno was airlifted to an emergency veterinary hospital in Salt Lake City for further treatment.
"I did see the huge overpass behind them, and it's pretty scary, and pretty upsetting that this dog took a tumble off of that and landed face first on it," said flight nurse Joe Getty, who is with the Intermountain Canine Transport Team.
Getty added that Bruno was a little discombobulated when he was placed into the helicopter, but remained calm. After being treated, it was learned that Bruno suffered two broken legs, a broken jaw, and was in shock.
On Wednesday, the Park City Police Department updated Bruno's status, sharing that he was in stable condition and was set to undergo surgery for his broken leg.
"Despite the seriousness of his injuries, Bruno continues to show us just how tough he is. We know he has a long road to recovery ahead of him, but we are encouraged by his condition and the care he is receiving," the department wrote.
Bruno is Park City's first-ever K-9 after arriving in Utah late last year from a training facility in North Carolina. The 2-year-old chocolate Labrador has been an energetic part of the department, serving in both bomb detection and specialty events in the community.
"Bruno's part of the family," said Lt. Danielle Snelson. "He is with his handler all day every day. He lives with his handler, so he's part of his family as well... and it's hard to think about anyone in your family, pets included, being injured."
Traffic was halted for about an hour until the investigation found that the suspicious item had fallen off a vehicle and broken into several pieces.