KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — A Cabarrus County K-9 who ran away after getting startled by Fourth of July fireworks has been found safe.
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Deputies said Igor was found by an employee at Daymark in Concord when she got to work Monday morning.
Cabarrus County Sheriff Van Shaw said deputies were able to walk her through what to do.
"She started calling out to the dog. He is a little timid but started coming closer to her, and she was able to entice him a little closer with a Pop-Tart, that's what she had," Shaw said. "Then she was instructed by one of the K-9 trainers to open her back door and tell him to 'get in the car,' which is a command common to K-9s."
Shaw said his team was planning a search for Igor Monday that would have included off-road vehicles combing Interstate 85.
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the public for their vigilance and outpouring of support throughout this ordeal," Shaw said. "We're glad to have Igor back."
The sheriff's office said Igor’s handler, Deputy Brian McClellen, took him outside around 9:45 p.m. Thursday to allow him to relieve himself. Igor, as was usual, was not on a leash.
While outside, fireworks exploded near the house, causing Igor to run off. Officials said McClellen was unable to use verbal commands to prevent Igor from running off.
"Panic -- absolute panic, not to mention it’s an animal that has been entrusted to me,” the deputy said. ‘But he's also my partner."
Igor is trained as an explosives detection K-9 and is not trained to bite.
Deputies said Igor appears to be in good shape but was taken to a veterinarian to be checked out.
Officials said Igor is expected to return to work after some time to rest.
Shaw said they are starting to look at making policy changes within the department to prevent this from happening again.