Police dog wandered about eight miles

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COLUMBIA CITY, Ind., Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Authorities in Indiana said a police dog escaped from its kennel and was found about eight miles away 19 hours after the escape.

Columbia City Police Chief Tim Longenbaugh said Stryker, a 6-year-old brindle-colored Dutch shepherd used for tracking and drug detecting, escaped from his Collins kennel around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, The (Fort Wayne) Journal Gazette reported Thursday.

Longenbaugh said an Allen County resident living about eight miles from the kennel called police around 9:40 a.m. Wednesday and reported she has discovered a dog matching the description of the missing police pooch wandering in her yard.

The chief said Stryker did not appear to have any injuries or health problems stemming from his journey.

"We believe he was about eight miles from home," Longenbaugh said. "It was a long night for him."