GREENFIELD — For the first time in nearly 15 years, an officer specializing in trailing the scent of a missing person or a suspect in a crime has joined the ranks of the Greenfield Police Department.

Once certified, Ellie-May, an 18-month-old bloodhound, will be used to track the scent of people who may be missing or fugitives of the law, according to Deputy Police Chief William Gordon. Unlike her K-9 colleague Niko, who is a German shepherd, Ellie-May won’t be used for the apprehension of suspects or in narcotics cases, and she doesn’t serve as a protection for her handler, Officer Marcus Johansson. Rather, her job is uniquely focused on tracking scents — a skill bloodhounds are best known for.

During a brief ceremony recognizing the promotions of several Greenfield officers on Monday evening, K-9 Ellie-May was sworn in as the department’s first bloodhound since K-9s Daisy and Badger. Ellie-May is believed to be only the second police bloodhound in Franklin County, with the Erving Police Department having brought on its own dog, Ziva, in November 2022. Ziva is handled by Erving Police Officer Laura Gordon, William Gordon’s wife.

“We’ve been contemplating it for several years, but with budget cuts and all, the timing wasn’t right,” William Gordon said of the Greenfield Police Department regaining a bloodhound. “We were able to get some donations and we had a successful golf tournament that raised funds that allowed us to feel comfortable we’d be able to fund it.”

Donations will cover the cost of training, veterinary needs and any necessary equipment. There may be some “residual funding” from the Police Department’s budget that would be used to offset the cost of upkeep at home, as required by law.

Gordon said Ellie-May was a donation from a family in Maine, by way of the Northeast Houndsmen, an organization that helps train bloodhounds and their handlers. She came from a family who rescued her but eventually realized they “could not find time to properly exercise” a bloodhound, according to a post on the Police Department’s Facebook page.

“We overheard there was a dog available, so we contacted them,” Gordon recalled. “They evaluated the dog for us, and they felt it was a good match.”

With about a month of training under her belt, Ellie-May will continue to train twice per month for four hours until Northeast Houndsmen feels she’s ready to be certified. Gordon expects Ellie-May will be ready by the end of September.

Although her focus will be on scent trailing, Ellie-May — who Gordon described as a “very docile animal” — will also be able to serve as a comfort dog in situations where K-9 Frankie, the department’s chocolate lab, isn’t available.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne

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