Columbia County police looking for missing K9 officer

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — UPDATE: The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office announced that the suspect who fled deputies into the woods has been caught. However, the search for their K-9 is still ongoing. A photo of the K-9 is above.

Remember that the sheriff’s office has said not to approach the K-9 if you see it. Call dispatch immediately at 386-719-2005.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the community’s help in locating a lost K9 officer.

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According to the sheriff’s office, there are multiple units in the area of U.S. 90 near the Sheriff’s Office Operations Center looking to the dog. Police said the K9 was deployed to track a suspect who fled into the woods, but it somehow got off the leash.

The search area is remote and between Tyre Road and the college entrance between U.S. 90 and State Road 100. The K9 is a German Shepard wearing a marked sheriff’s harness.

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Police are also still looking for the suspect the K9 was tracking. He has been identified as 29-year-old Justin Dewey Pike. He isn’t known to be a violent offender, but people in the area should still use caution. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black tank-top.

Anyone that sees the dog or suspect should not approach, immediately call dispatch 386-719-2005 and let them know your location.

Action News Jax will continue to follow the story and update you as events unfold.

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