A Centerville police dog was killed Monday morning after she got out of her handler’s house, ended up on Interstate 15 and was struck by a car.
According to police, Sophie — a bloodhound trained in tracking — “got loose” from the home of Officer Jason Shields on Sunday night, and officers spent the night looking for her. At about 7 a.m. on Monday, the dog was spotted running south in the northbound lanes of I-15 just north of Parrish Lane. Before officers could reach her, Sophie was struck and killed.
According to a news release from Centerville police, the vehicle that hit the dog has not been located, but the driver “is not believed to be at fault.”
Sophie had been with the Centerville Police Department since November 2019, “and was recognized as a go-to K-9 in Davis County,” according to police, proving to be “an invaluable asset to the community and was instrumental in locating lost children, Alzheimer patients, and fleeing suspects.”
After a public viewing for Sophie on Monday until 2:30 p.m. at the Centerville Police Department at 250 N. Main Street, police will hold a private service. A public, graveside service will be held “at a later date.”
