New Video of K-9 Jumping Off Overpass Prompts PETA Plea for Dog’s Retirement, No More Police Dogs

For Immediate Release:
October 16, 2026

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

Following the release of police video showing a K-9 named Bruno jumping from a freeway overpass, suffering serious injuries, PETA sent a letter today to Park City Police Chief Wade Carpenter urging him to retire Bruno—and for the use of police dogs to be phased out altogether, as is happening across the U.S. In the letter, PETA encourages the department to replace Bruno—currently, their only K-9—with state-of-the-art policing technology, such as tactical robots, drones, and/or portable mass spectrometers. In a growing trend, law enforcement departments across the country now use tactical robots, which can be deployed in situations that could otherwise result in serious injury or death for K-9s and human officers.

According to police, Bruno was being used for a suspicious-package investigation at the U.S. 40/I-80 interchange on September 15 when he jumped from the overpass, suffering two broken legs and a fractured jaw. He was later flown by Life Flight to Salt Lake City for treatment.

“Police work is inherently dangerous, but dogs like Bruno don’t get to choose whether to risk their lives in the line of duty,” says PETA Vice President Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling on the Park City Police Department to give this dog the retirement he deserves and turn to state-of-the-art technology that can do dangerous jobs without putting animals in harm’s way.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Carpenter follows.

October 16, 2026

Wade Carpenter

Chief of Police

Park City Police Department

Dear Chief Carpenter:

I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) regarding K-9 Bruno, who was injured when he jumped off a freeway overpass. We understand that many K-9s are regarded as colleagues and members of their handlers’ families, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Given this incident, would you please retire Bruno and consider this an opportunity to reassess the use of dogs?

Police work is inherently dangerous for everyone involved, including dogs like Bruno. Ongoing improvements and innovations in technology provide exciting opportunities to phase out the use of K-9s with equipment such as tactical robots, drones, or portable mass spectrometers, which enhance safety and operational efficiency without risking anyone’s life. Your department may be able to secure grant funding for new technology through the Utah Department of Criminal Justice, the DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. You might also find private or equipment-specific grant funding opportunities through PoliceGrantsHelp.com.

Thank you for your consideration and for all that you do to keep your community safe.

Most respectfully,

Allison Fandl

Manager of Special Projects

Cruelty Investigations Department | PETA