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TOWNSEND — The Townsend Police Department has added a new member to its team: Officer Ruby, a 10-week-old bloodhound with a future in search-and-rescue and community engagement.
After some training, the department said Ruby’s role will focus on tracking missing persons and serving as a comforting presence for people during traumatic situations. She will also make appearances at community events, with the goal to strengthen connections between the department and the community.
The pup’s addition to the force came at no cost to taxpayers, thanks to ample community support and because of Northeast Houndsmen, an Athol-based nonprofit specializing in training search-and-rescue dogs. The organization covered the cost of acquiring Ruby from Kentucky’s Bluegrass Bloodhounds and donated $2,000 for necessary equipment.
“Once she is fully grown, Officer Ruby will serve as both a certified tracking dog and as a community resource that can help build positive relationships for the Townsend Police Department,” Townsend Police Chief James Sartell said in a press release making the announcement.
Before launching a K-9 Unit, the department reached out to the community to gauge interest. Police said the response was overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the department’s decision to move forward.
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital of Townsend has pledged to provide medical care for Ruby, while local businesses — including Harbor Auto Body, Cota’s Auto Repair, and Evans on the Common — offered financial support. One Townsend family even donated a year’s supply of food for her.
“We were completely overwhelmed by the community’s response when we floated the idea of launching a K9 program,” Sartell said in the release. “The Townsend community’s generous support for this idea is what made everything possible, and we could not be more grateful to our residents and business owners for their continued support and faith.”
Follow Aaron Curtis on X @aselahcurtis, or on Bluesky @aaronscurtis.bsky.social.
