Berwick police dog still missing

BERWICK – A Berwick police dog that escaped from his handler while tracking a home invasion suspect in York on Tuesday was still missing this weekend.

The 4-year-old dog, Baron, who has been used by the department for two years, broke free from K-9 Officer Chad Allen and ran away after apparently picking up the scent of the suspect.

Sgt. Martin Doherty of York police said the department often calls on Baron because York

doesn’t have a K-9 unit.

“He’s a good dog,” Doherty said. “He’s a good tracker. Hopefully, we’re going to find him.”

Police, assisted by volunteers, have employed other police dogs in the search.

“We’re using the dogs mostly as an extra set of eyes and ears,” K-9 Officer Rebecca Mansfield of the Portsmouth, N.H., Police Department said. “Looking for a dog is like looking for a needle in a haystack. We’re just hoping someone spots him.”

The Maine Warden Service helped with the search on Tuesday but would not likely be involved further unless there are new leads, said spokesman Mark Latti.

“It’s more than a dog, it’s an asset,” Latti said. “And for handlers, it’s a partner. Really, when you think of what dogs are capable of in terms of finding evidence, finding lost people, subduing suspects, they truly are a valuable partner.”

Baron, who understands both English and German commands, was described as a standard tan and black German shepherd wearing a reflective harness and a 20-foot leash. The dog, who lives with his handler, was scheduled to be certified as a narcotics dog on Monday.

Mansfield said a fully trained police dog can cost as much as $10,000.

Police dogs typically do not wear identification tags because they make noise during a pursuit, Mansfield said.

Police urged anyone spotting the dog not to approach him but to call the Berwick Police Department at 698-1136.