Missing Conn. Police K-9 Found after Backyard Escape

Casner, an 8-year-old K-9 with the Berlin Police Department, had returned home with his handler after an evening shift when the dog escaped from his handler's backyard.

By Liz Hardaway

Source Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.

Sept. 10, 2025

What to know

Berlin Police K-9 Casner went missing from his handler’s home in New Hartford on Friday, but he was found safe about 11 hours later.
The 8-year-old dog escaped his handler's backyard after a shift, kicking off a search involving other K-9 handlers, officers and CT Dog Gone Recovery.
The department is considering GPS collars for all K-9s following the incident.

Casner, an 8-year-old K-9 with the Berlin Police Department, had returned home with his handler after an evening shift when the dog escaped from his handler's backyard. — Berlin, CT, Police K-9 Casner.

NEW HARTFORD, CT — A Berlin police dog went missing from his home in New Hartford this past weekend, but was found safe about 11 hours later, according to police.

K-9 Casner escaped from the backyard after he and his handler, Berlin police Officer Aimee Krzykowski, returned home from an evening shift Friday night, said Berlin police Deputy Chief Drew Gallupe. Gallupe described the 8-year-old dog's sudden disappearance as "uncharacteristic," since he normally responds to Krzykowski's commands immediately.

Krzykowski searched the area, but was unable to find Casner and enlisted the help of other K-9 handlers, members of the Berlin Police Department and the organization CT Dog Gone Recovery to find Casner, according to Gallupe.

"She lives in a rural area with extensive wooded sections which complicated the search," Gallupe noted.

Casner was found safe the next morning around 9 a.m., Gallupe said.

Gallupe said that, following the incident, the department was looking into GPS collars to protect all of its K-9s.

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