MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Gardens police are searching for a department K-9 who ran from its handler and was later struck by a vehicle Monday night, authorities said.

According to the Miami Gardens Police Department, K-9 officers responded to a business alarm in the 200 block of Northwest 195th Street at approximately 9:35 p.m. Monday.

Police said a K-9 officer opened the rear door of her patrol vehicle, where K-9 Gael was located.

Once the door opened, the 2-year-old dog exited the vehicle and immediately ran eastbound across Northwest Second Avenue, according to police.

The officer attempted to recall Gael, but police said the K-9 did not respond to the commands.

All available Miami Gardens police patrol units began searching for Gael, with assistance from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit. Despite the extensive search, officers were initially unable to locate the dog.

Ahie Smith lives right down the street and described the police scene all around his house on Monday night.

“They were just riding, circling, putting a light on my yard,” he said. “Helicopters riding around, riding around for hours ... I stepped out to see what was going on. It looked kind of crazy.”

Police provided an update Tuesday, saying investigators had obtained surveillance video showing Gael being struck by a vehicle after running from the location.

Despite being hit, Gael continued traveling eastbound, according to police.

The extent of Gael’s injuries are unclear. Police said the dog was wearing a black collar that reads “Mama says I’m special” at the time it ran off.

Miami Gardens police officers are canvassing the surrounding area and continuing to search for the missing K-9 when they’re not responding to calls.

“We’re still going to be canvassing until we receive some type of answer,” Miami Gardens police spokeswoman Diana Delgado said.

Delgado said the department is hoping the community will step up to help locate Gael.

“All of our our canines are very, very special to our department,” she said. “They are all trained to the best of their capacity, and with the best trainers, and right now we’re all devastated that we are unable to locate Gael.”

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