Photo: Florida Officer Jenna Mendez Glad to Have Police Dog 'Gunner' Back
When her 7-month-old Bloodhound went missing just before the new year, Jenna Mendez was devastated, but thanks to a kind woman, dog and owner have been reunited.
Officer Jenna Mendez of the Sweetwater Police Department said her police bloodhound named Gunner went missing late Friday afternoon.
Upon hearing of the dog’s disappearance, an all-points bulletin was issued for Gunner by Sweetwater. Ground crews and a helicopter crew were deployed, and the search for the young, 60-pound bloodhound was on.
Along with the ground crews, other bloodhounds were deployed as well, including one brought out of retirement.
Gunner is one of many dogs donated to by The Jimmy Ryce Foundation, which provides bloodhounds to local law enforcement as well as schools, which use the dogs to counsel and support the parents of children abducted by sexual predators.
Sunday, after a weekend-long search, an unidentified woman spotted Gunner in the field of a local church near Mendez’s home.
Having seen the news reports about missing Gunner, she brought him over to Officer Mendez’s home, where he was reunited with his worried handler.
Sweetwater police say they have no idea where Gunner spent New Year’s Eve, but say he appears to be in good health. Not wanting to take an chances however, Mendez said she took Gunner to an animal clinic “just to make sure.”
