Missing K-9 found dead after search near Visalia. ‘This is a loud, scary world.’

Reedley Police have announced an end to the search for Kona, the department K-9 that had been missing since July 4.

“We have found him,” Police Chief Jose Garza wrote in a social media post Thursday night.

“Unfortunately, the outcome is not what we had hoped for. It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of his passing.”

Officers from several law enforcement agencies, with the help of the public, had been looking for the 10-year-old German shepherd since he escaped from his handler’s home in Visalia on Tuesday. According to police, Kona was found just outside of Visalia in the 14000 block of Avenue 280, in an area where they had previously found the dog’s tracker.

“It appears that Kona was struck by a vehicle,” Garza wrote, ”and crawled into a vineyard, where he succumbed to his injuries.”

The California Highway Patrol has been contacted to evaluate whether a hit-and-run report will be taken, and Reedley Police will continue its investigation into the original escape. So far, police said Kona escaped from the garage where he was being kept after fireworks were set off nearby.

Surveillance footage showed Kona then broke through wooden fence panels to flee the backyard, according to the post on Thursday.

Community condolences

Condolences quickly poured in from hundreds of people as news of the death began spreading via social media. Responding to a post from the Fresno Police Department, one user wrote “I’m so sorry Kona. This is a loud scary world. I’m so sorry you were alone! RIP handsome boy.”

Another wrote: “Absolutely heartbreaking. Praying for his handler and those in the department.”

Several commenters questioned the responsibility of the handler and wondered why the dog was in a garage and not indoors during the Fourth of July.

The department meanwhile, thanked the community for its support both during and after the search.

“Your dedication and compassion were truly inspiring during this challenging time,” Chief Garza wrote.

“Please take a moment to remember Kona and keep his handler in your thoughts during this difficult period of grief and loss. We hope that he and his family find solace in knowing how many people cared deeply about the safe return of Kona.”

This story was originally published July 7, 2023 at 11:25 AM.