Connecticut k9 tracks swamp-covered fugitive then finds missing man hours later
File Photo: Handcuffs © Big Stock Images.

Connecticut K9 tracks swamp-covered fugitive then finds missing man hours later

MONTVILLE, CT – A Connecticut State Police K9 is being credited with two successful searches in a single day — first tracking a felony fugitive who tried to vanish into a swamp by covering himself in mud, and later finding a missing suicidal man deep in the woods.

K9 Zedo of Troop E – Montville was deployed just before 2 p.m. Wednesday after a man with felony arrest warrants fled a traffic stop in Canterbury and swam across the Quinebaug River to escape police. Troopers said the suspect then ran into dense brush and attempted to hide by smearing his body in swamp mud and moss.

Zedo tracked the man for half a mile through the wetlands and found him concealed in the muck. He was arrested and removed from the swamp without further incident.

Connecticut k9 tracks swamp-covered fugitive then finds missing man hours later
Photo: connecticut k9 tracks swamp-covered fugitive then finds missing man hours later

Less than eight hours later, K9 Zedo was called into action again—this time helping police in Auburn, Massachusetts locate a reported suicidal individual whose vehicle had been found parked for several hours on a remote road in Preston, Connecticut.

Zedo was deployed at the car’s location and followed a half-mile track through thick brush and swamp terrain before locating the man, who was found unharmed. Troopers escorted him out of the woods to EMS personnel.

State police did not release the names of the individuals located during the incidents.


Key Points

  • K9 Zedo tracked and found a felony suspect hiding under mud in a swamp after he fled into the woods
  • The same K9 later located a suicidal man who had been missing in remote Preston
  • Both incidents occurred on Wednesday and ended without injury

A police dog tracked through thick swamp twice in one day, helping Connecticut troopers nab a fugitive and save a man in crisis.

Shore News Network Staff Report

Shore News Network Staff Report is the official newsroom byline used by Shore News Network when a story is produced through the collaborative work of multiple members of the editorial team rather than a single reporter.

This newsroom account is reserved for articles that involve contributions from multiple journalists, editors, photographers, researchers, or news desk staff. It is also used for developing stories that are updated as new verified information becomes available, as well as for community announcements, weather coverage, public safety alerts, election results, and other newsroom-produced content.

Every article published under the Shore News Network Staff Report byline is reviewed and edited in accordance with the organization's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, attribution, and transparency. Information is verified through official government agencies, court records, law enforcement, public documents, direct reporting, interviews, and other reliable primary and secondary sources before publication whenever possible.

The Staff Report account does not use artificial intelligence to independently generate news or publish unverified information. AI-assisted tools may occasionally be used for editorial support tasks such as transcription, formatting, grammar review, or workflow efficiency, but all published content is subject to human editorial oversight and approval by Shore News Network's newsroom staff.

As an independently owned digital news organization, Shore News Network is committed to original reporting, public safety journalism, government accountability, local community coverage, and breaking news throughout New Jersey and surrounding regions. Stories published under the Staff Report byline reflect the collective experience and editorial judgment of the Shore News Network newsroom.

Readers who have corrections, additional information, or news tips related to a Staff Report article are encouraged to contact the newsroom at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network welcomes factual corrections and updates as part of its commitment to accurate, transparent journalism.