Park City police dog Bruno is home with his family after surgery, according to a September 17 police statement reproduced by Gephardt Daily. His recovery follows a fall from a freeway overpass while officers investigated a suspicious package.
Bruno was working near the U.S. 40 and Interstate 80 interchange on September 15 when he jumped from the overpass, KSL reported, citing police. A helicopter took him to an emergency veterinary hospital in Salt Lake City.
KPCW reports that he suffered two broken legs and a fractured jaw, with surgery taking place September 16. Police said the operation went well, but his recovery would take time.
An explosives detection dog sworn in last December
The city’s December 11, 2025, council minutes record the chocolate Labrador’s swearing in. Captain Darwin Little told council members that Bruno and Officer Henderson had completed their Police Officer Standards Training explosives course that week. Mayor Nann Worel then swore Bruno in.
A staff report by Police Chief Wade Carpenter, prepared for that meeting, says handler Wayne Henderson selected Bruno in October 2025. By December, Bruno was certified to detect 11 explosive scents. That training was the foundation for his role on suspicious package calls.
The department has not announced a return to duty date in the reports reviewed for this article.
Sources
- Gephardt Daily: September 17 police statement on Bruno’s return home ›
- KPCW: surgery, discharge announcement and recovery update ›
- KSL: September 15 police account of the overpass incident ›
- Park City Council: December 11, 2025, minutes, page 3 ›
- Park City Council packet: Police Chief Wade Carpenter’s staff report, page 134 ›
How we reported this: Buddylio directly checked the council minutes and police chief’s staff report. Medical updates come from police through local reporting. For discharge timing, we follow the September 17 police statement reproduced by Gephardt Daily; KPCW’s photo caption instead gives September 16.