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Missing police K-9 found, Avondale police say

A missing K-9 named Rico sparked an inter-department search Monday morning as authorities cautioned that the dog may have been dangerous.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — A missing K-9 unit from the Avondale Police Department sparked a search across multiple departments Monday morning. The K-9, named Rico, has since been found.

Avondale police announced that Rico was found and safely returned home to his handler a little before 9 a.m.

Police described Rico as a large, 90-pound tan Malinois with a black face. He was reportedly wearing a medal collar and was last seen near 161st Lane and Lower Buckeye Parkway sometime Sunday evening.

Avondale police said Rico is 7 years old, and he has served with Avondale PD for five years. Rico has been with the same K9 handler for the entirety of his career.

When Rico was missing, a report of a dog bite was made to Goodyear police. It has not yet been confirmed whether Rico was the dog involved in that case.

Credit: Avondale Police Department

Goodyear Police Community Alert: Police are searching for a missing off-duty police K9 from another agency. The K9 is...

Posted by Goodyear Police Department on Monday, March 6, 2023

Officers from the Goodyear Police Department, Avondale Police Department, Avondale Animal Control, and Maricopa County Animal Control, as well as their drone support units, were involved in the search for Rico.

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