NATCHEZ — Natchez police continued their search Saturday for missing K-9 officer and they received a tip from a resident who reported spotting the dog at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday on U.S. 61 near the Natchez Trace.

Natchez Police Department Chief Daniel White said a citizen spotted him and is confident the dog he saw was Cyrax, the missing German Shepherd.The resident reported the dog disappeared into the woods near the R.L. Blanton construction facility on U.S. 61, and White said police would continue to search for him.

Cyrax, one of the two K-9 dogs belonging to the Natchez Police Department, has been missing since Aug. 11. The dog went missing after breaking the leash on which he was tied at his human handler’s residence on Palestine Road.

White said he learned of the dog’s disappearance Aug. 13 when K-9 officer Brian Seyfarth reported the dog could not be located. Seyfarth was keeping the dog for a new K-9 officer, White said.

Cyrax is a male German shepherd, black in color with tan coloring on his feet. He was last seen wearing a silver choke collar.

Anyone who spots Cyrax should contact NPD at 601-445-5565 or Crime Stoppers at 601-442-5000.

White said the police department has been getting several Cyrax calls each day and he thanks people for keeping an eye out for the K-9.

While White said the dog is fairly gentle, NPD asks residents to call police if they spot Cyrax rather than try to catch him.