Abington K9 Moose, Montco's First Bloodhound Working Dog, Graduates From Police Academy

ABINGTON, PA — Moose, the recently hired K9 police dog in Abington Township who is believed to be the first bloodhound K9 employed by a police department anywhere in Montgomery County, has graduated from the academy.

The Abington Township Police Department announced Friday that Moose and his human partner, Officer Ray De Los Santos, graduated from the Cape May County (New Jersey) Sheriff's Bloodhound Academy, Class No. 8.

The department reported that during their schooling, the duo also had the distinction of being named the class president.

"Congratulations, we can't wait to see you on the street!" the police department posted on Facebook.

Patch reported on the pair this past September.

Abington Police stated that Moose is believed to be the first-ever bloodhound canine employed by any police agency in Montgomery County.

Abington Police Lt. Kevin Magee previously told Patch that other bloodhound dogs may be employed in the county, but they belong to various search and rescue teams and other organizations, not municipal police departments, making Moose's hiring a first.

Santos, the human partner, has been with the force since the summer of 2019. This will be his first K9 post.

Bloodhound Moose would be joining the existing K9 unit at the police department, which is currently made up of Sgt. Jennifer Doyle and regular K9 Bella.

Regular K9 police dogs are known as dual-purpose working dogs, Magee said, meaning they can track but also possess prisoner apprehension abilities.

Bloodhound K9s, however, are known specifically for their "superior sense of smell and excels in tracking persons," Magee told Patch previously.