K-9 Chase Solves His First Case

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports that his newest member, K-9 Chase, and his handler, Criminal Investigator Randel Hill recorded their first official, successful track. Chase is an 18 month old Bloodhound who recently completed his training and was immediately put to use.

On May 24, 2016 at approximately 8:40 p.m., Chase and Investigator Hill, along with members of the New York State Police, responded to a 911 report of a female hiker lost in a wooded area of the Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area in the Town of Patterson. The 59 year old hiker called 911 via cell phone after realizing she was lost. Chase, with his handler, located the hiker’s vehicle on Stage Coach Road. The dog picked up the scent from the vehicle, and the track was on. Hampered by the rain and darkness, not to mention an errant black bear, the subject was located after a 1.13 mile track through the woods. Chase led his handler and the troopers to the hiker, who was ultimately returned to civilization unharmed.