Authorities in LaGrange were searching Tuesday for a missing police dog that disappeared Monday during a manhunt for an escaped felon.

LaGrange police K9 “Chico” and his handler were called to I-85 Monday to assist with the search for an escaped felon from Dougherty County, according to a LaGrange police statement.

The escapee was later captured in the area of Willowood Road, but Chico didn’t return to his handler.

“The escapee stated he did fight with a dog while he was hiding in the woods and wounds he sustained confirmed his story,” the police statement said.

A multi-agency search for the missing brown Belgian Malinois was being led Tuesday by the Troup County Sheriff’s Office.

Police said in the statement that if anyone happens up on the dog, “please do not attempt to engage with the animal, nor should you run from the animal. Your best course of action is to remain calm and be still and call 911 immediately with details of your location and the animal’s location.”

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