Hefty Donation Lands Wilton PD a Police Dog

A $50,000 donation from the Wilton-based pet food company will allow the Wilton Police Department to establish a canine program, the first of its kind in 15 years.

The new canine will help in finding missing persons, sniff out narcotics, and “capture or locate arrestees,” according to a press release sent out by the Wilton Police Department.

“In the past, there have been elderly disoriented people missing from their homes” and also persons who were “otherwise endangered” but could not be located, the release states. “Time is of the essence and relying on outside agencies is a detriment to the welfare of the community. Many times a police canine was needed and none were available. It is critical to locate endangered people as quickly as possible before the elements have done them harm.”

The police department has chosen Officer Stephen Rangel to the department’s canine handler after he attends a nine-week summer training programming working with the new police dog. He is scheduled to “be on duty with the police canine as part of his normal patrol duties” afterwards, according to the press release.

Police said that without the $50,000 donation, the acquisition of a police canine would not have been possible. The Blue Buffalo is owned and operated by William Bishop and his two sons, Chris and Billy.

Additionally, the Wilton Police Department is also looking into a which can instantly read and cross-reference a license plate to look for things such as outstanding warrants and driving without insurance. It is not known when this technology will actually be bought and implemented, but the department has noted that getting the technology is on their agenda.