BOWIE, Md. (AP) — A search and rescue dog is the one being searched for after bolting from his handler.

A 3-year-old black German Shepherd named Vito went missing Thursday while working with his handler at White March Park in Bowie.

Sonja Heritage, a dog handler with Fairfax Search Dogs, says she and the Vito were performing a search and rescue when he got distracted. He was heading off into the woods as he was supposed to when a fox appeared, and Vito gave chase.

Heritage says the dog has been sighted several times since his disappearance, and she hopes someone has taken him in. Local animal shelters have been notified.

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