Duke (Lakewood police photo)
UPDATE AT 4:08 P.M.: Duke has been found safe. The dog wandered into a lady’s backyard and she recognized him from the media coverage and called him by his name and he responded, police said.
He is in good health and back with his handler.
ORIGINAL POST: Lakewood police say that “Duke,” a department narcotics dog, escaped from his handler’s home during the thunderstorms that hit the region yesterday.Police have been searching for Duke, but haven’t found him.
Duke, a 10 1/2-year-old Labrador/retriever mix, has been with the department for more than six years. The dog, who is microchipped, chewed his way out of his kennel near 208th Street and the Mountain Highway in Pierce County.
Anyone with information is asked to dial 911. Duke is not considered dangerous, police said.