FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota Highway Patrol has welcomed a new recruit with a remarkable skill: finding people. Beau, a 12-week-old bloodhound puppy, is joining a team of canine specialists increasingly in demand across the upper Midwest.
The Nose Knows
These dogs are specifically bred to track people, whether they are missing children, individuals with dementia, or criminal suspects. While the agency utilizes drones and aircraft in search operations, bloodhounds offer a unique, low-tech advantage. According to Danny Jones, executive director of the U.S. Police Canine Association, “To actually get a direction and start moving in a direction, you’re going to need a dog on the ground to start that trail, and that’s the difference between the technology and actually having a dog such as a bloodhound on the ground.”
Bloodhounds are employed by law enforcement agencies across the country, from Maine to Florida to Texas to Arizona to California. Their physical characteristics – large, floppy ears and folds of skin – aid in gathering scents, allowing them to follow trails even after a week or more. They have successfully tracked scents from items like walls, disturbed dirt, and even vomit on vehicles.
Busy Schedules & Regional Support
The North Dakota Highway Patrol began utilizing bloodhounds around 14 years ago, shifting focus from dual-purpose dogs to those specializing in either drug detection or trailing. The team receives approximately 70 requests for assistance annually, extending beyond state lines. Last year, two handler teams traveled 10 hours to Montana to aid in the search for a suspect in a quadruple homicide.
Beau, originally from Texas, is currently undergoing early training in Fargo, focusing on basic commands, socialization, and housebreaking. He is expected to be fully certified for trailing in approximately nine months. Trooper Dustin Pattengale is Beau’s handler.
Expanding the Network
North Dakota’s bloodhound program is also extending support to neighboring states. Last year, Trooper Steven Mayer traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, to assist the city’s police department in training their first bloodhound, Willow. Omaha previously relied on bloodhound teams from as far away as Chicago, and officials hope Willow will become a valuable regional resource.
Handlers like Mayer and his wife frequently volunteer their time and expertise to train canine teams, having traveled to countries including Hungary, Italy, South Africa, and Wales. They have plans to visit Slovenia and Austria later this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are bloodhounds used by the North Dakota Highway Patrol?
They are used to trail missing children, people with dementia, and criminal suspects. The agency receives about 70 calls a year for their services.
Where did Beau, the new bloodhound puppy, come from?
Beau was born in Texas but now lives in Fargo, North Dakota.
What makes bloodhounds particularly effective trackers?
Bloodhounds have about 300 million scent receptors in their nose, vastly more than humans and other dogs, and their physical features aid them gather odor.
As the North Dakota Highway Patrol’s bloodhound program continues to grow, and with Beau’s training underway, what role might these remarkable canines play in future search and rescue efforts across the region?
