Wilmington Missing K-9 found safe nearly two months later

K-9 Karson safely in the arms of his handler Officer Pop of Wilmington PD (Photo: Facebook/Pam... — K-9 Karson safely in the arms of his handler Officer Pop of Wilmington PD (Photo: Facebook/Pam Jones Photography)

Officer Pop after finally being reunited with Karson (Photo: Facebook/Pam Jones Photography)

Karson being reunited with his handler Officer Pop of the Wilmington Police (Photo: Wilmington... — Karson being reunited with his handler Officer Pop of the Wilmington Police (Photo: Wilmington Police Department)

Karson's confirmed sightings. POE is point of escape (Photo: Wilmington Police)

WILMINGTON, OH (FOX19) - The Wilmington Police Department found their missing K-9, Karson, Sunday.

Karson had been missing since before Christmas after he chewed through his leash and ran out the front door of the Clinton Animal Care Center.

Officials say that Karson was spotted by Pam Jones in a field by Interstate 71 north of Wilmington.

Jones says that her and her husband were on the road to Columbus when they spotted Karson. Jones had been one of the volunteers who had been on the search for Karson since he disappeared.

According to the Wilmington Police Department, after they arrived to the field, they had to corral and circle around Karson. Police say that Karson seemed a bit scared.

Officials say that Karson's handler, Jerry Popp, got out of the truck and Karson immediately recognized Popp and ran toward to be finally reunited with his handler. Karson is home with Popp Sunday evening.

The Wilmington Police Department say that Karson had lost 14 pounds since going missing on Dec. 23 of last year. Officials found that Karson mildly dehydrated, but after being checked out, Karson seemed healthy and fine.

Jordina Ghigerri with Lost Pet Professionals in New Jersey has spent the last two months helping Wilmington Police search for Karson with her own K-9s. For weeks, she has tracked his sightings and movements estimating he traveled more than 200 miles within those 61 days but never went further than 20 miles from his handler's home.

Ghigerri says Karson first followed bike paths but eventually began following rivers, streams and hunting wild prey for food. While they tried several times to trap him at places they knew he had been, Karson never returned to the same place twice.

"We worry about temperature and cold but they don't. They are smart. All they need is a foundation to something that is heated and they are good to go. They certainly have the ability to keep out there like any other wild animal that has to survive," said Ghigerri.

Governor John Kasich will be attending Karson's welcome home party Thursday in Wilmington.