Coral Gables police dog goes AWOL

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Miami Herald

BY Elaine De Valle

Normally, a missing dog is not news. But the canine that disappeared from his South Miami home today is also a certified police officer -- a 4-year-old, 80-pound Belgium Malinois named Anatool in the employ of the Coral Gables Police Department for about 18 months.

Officer Gordon Dickinson, the pooch's partner, was starting his morning on his day off and looked out his window near the corner of Ludlam Road and 80th Street about 7:30 a.m. to an empty back yard. No dog anywhere.

An all-out dog hunt between Gables and South Miami officers was called off at noon. A countywide be-on-the-lookout is still in effect.

Police do not suspect foul play.

''We're not talking about a kidnapping here,'' said Officer Martin Barros, a Coral Gables Police spokesman. ``Nobody is going to come into that back yard with a police dog and come out alive. Nah!''

The dog is highly trained to defend himself and his partner.

''He's a very good dog. He has very good disposition with people. He doesn't like other dogs,'' Barros said. ``But he is fully trained and if he feels himself in danger he will take care of business. He can attack. That's our fear.''

One of six police dogs in the Gables department, Anatool -- mostly brown with some black fur -- has a chip, but not a collar.

Police urge anyone with information about the missing dog to call 305-442-1600.