Massive Search for Dog Walker Who Vanished in Minnesota Woods Suspended Until At Least Thursday

Cannon Falls, MN (KROC-AM News)- A massive search effort to find a dog walker who vanished into the woods in southeast Minnesota is on hold until at least Thursday. 

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Search efforts began Monday night and continued into Tuesday morning. Crews resumed their search around 9 a.m. Tuesday and suspended the search once the sun went down, according to a news release issued by the Cannon Falls Police Department. 

Officials are looking for a 60-year-old man who was walking his dog in a wooded area in the 300 block of Larkspur Ln., which is on the eastern edge of Cannon Falls and near the Cannon River. The man’s name and a description of him and the dog are not available. 

Authorities previously said that officers who responded to the missing person report around 8 p.m. Monday followed footprints made in the snow but could not find anything during the initial search. 

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On Tuesday members of multiple state and local emergency agencies conducted a ground search and deployed both aerial and amphibious drones in already searched areas and new areas but could not find the man and dog, the news release indicates. 

Search to Find Man & Dog Who Vanished in Cannon Falls Woods Suspended Until At Least Thursday Morning Due to Winds, Falling Temperatures

On Tuesday night, the Cannon Falls Police Department says the search will resume on Thursday at the earliest due to forecasted strong winds and dropping temperatures on Wednesday. 

Officials say the decision to not search on Wednesday was made to protect the safety of search personnel. Emergency responders plan to spend the day Wednesday to chart out the next portion of the search, the news release says. 

Cannon Falls police are asking residents in the search area to check sheds, outbuildings and areas covered by low foliage. Hunters in the search area are also asked to review footage and images captured by trail cameras. 

Authorities once again asked members of the public not to conduct private searches for the missing man and are reminding Minnesotans that the newly-formed ice on lakes and rivers is likely not yet thick enough to support people.

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