Missing Hamlet police K9 officer found safe after fireworks scare

HAMLET, N.C. — The Hamlet Police Department tells Channel 9 they have found their K9 officer, Rudy, after officials said the dog escaped from his handler’s home Wednesday night.

Officials told Channel 9 they found Rudy late Thursday night, about a mile from his handler's home. The dog was OK.

Rudy was last spotted on Chaulk Road around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The city manager told Channel 9 the dog dug a hole under his cage and jumped a fence.

The dog took off during Hamlet's fireworks celebration and they think Rudy got scared.

"Strangers, people from neighboring towns, coming to assist trying to find our K9," Hamlet City Manager Jonathan Blanton said. "So, we have been very fortunate to have all hands on deck and looking very hard and far for this K9."

The town spent thousands to purchase and train Rudy and is grateful he was found safe.

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