A recent success story highlights the remarkable abilities of a D.C. Police bloodhound, K9 Bubba, who has located two missing individuals in a span of just four months. Bubba, a four-year-old bloodhound, is trained to assist in tracking down missing people, often under critical circumstances.
Finding Missing Persons with Precision
Officer Tyrone Campbell, who has been a K9 handler for about a year, has partnered with Bubba to make notable strides in the field. Their teamwork recently paid off when they were called to assist in locating a man who had gone missing from a home on Constitution Avenue in Northeast Washington. Due to the man’s health issues and the frigid weather, he was classified as critically missing.
Utilizing a police helicopter, Falcon 1, and conducting ground searches, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) mobilized quickly. Within seven minutes of Bubba picking up the man’s scent, he led Officer Campbell directly to the missing individual, who was located approximately four blocks away.
Innovative Tracking Techniques
Officer Campbell employed a specialized vacuum to capture the missing person’s scent from a pillowcase or clothing, which Bubba then used to effectively track down the individual. Officer Campbell expressed his newfound belief in the capabilities of trained bloodhounds: “Experiencing their skills firsthand is amazing,” he stated.
Expanding the K9 Unit
Bubba has been a valuable asset to the D.C. Police, being the only bloodhound dedicated to locating missing persons. In an exciting development, he is set to gain a new partner, Bonzo, who is currently undergoing training. Officer James Greene, who has dedicated nearly 20 years to the K9 Unit and 28 years to the MPD, will handle Bonzo.
- Bubba and Bonzo are the only bloodhounds within the MPD.
- Bonzo was donated by a breeder in Spotsylvania County.
- Both dogs are trained to track scents up to 24 hours old.
Officer Campbell is passionate about his role and the impact it has on the community. He takes pride in providing hope to families searching for their missing loved ones. “Giving back to the community I grew up in means everything to me,” he remarked.
The Bigger Picture
Overall, the MPD operates approximately 20 other K9s focused on drug enforcement and apprehending suspects, with Bubba and Bonzo being the unique bloodhound representatives. As they continue their training and fieldwork, the community can expect to see them out and about, engaging with the public.
Officer Campbell encourages locals to greet the dogs whenever they see them, though a little drool may come with the interaction. This unique partnership not only exemplifies the commitment of the D.C. Police but also highlights the incredible capabilities of trained bloodhounds in finding missing individuals.
