RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) – An investigation says that a Vermont State Police trooper who hit and killed a Rutland police dog last months isn’t to blame.

The investigation by the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department says Trooper Daniel Hall couldn’t see the dog King Luther until it ran in front of his cruiser during an Aug. 19 pursuit through Rutland.

Luther’s handler Rutland Police officer Frank Post was trying to lay road spikes when the dog jumped out of his cruiser, apparently thinking Post needed help.

It was the first time a Vermont police dog was killed in the line of duty.

Post is now training a new dog.