Meet Ellie – Stamford police’s newest bomb-detecting K-9 in training
Ellie, 1-year-old yellow Labrador, will be the department's third explosive-detection K-9 when her training is over.
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The newest K-9 at the Stamford Police Department is full of energy and showing plenty of promise while training to detect bombs.
Ellie, 1-year-old yellow Labrador, will be the department's third explosive-detection K-9 when her training is over.
"She keeps me on my toes," said her handler Officer Nick Gelonesi, who has been with Ellie for three months. "Both of us are still in training."
Ellie comes to Stamford from Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
"It's a lot of work. A lot of getting used to each other because I don't speak dog, she doesn't speak human so learning each other is probably the hardest thing," said Gelonesi.
Ellie is learning odor detection. She will be able to detect 27 different types of odors to assist the department's Bomb Squad. Gelonesi and Ellie are already forming a lasting bond.
"She comes to work with me, she comes home with me," said Gelonesi. “We'll see how she does in the next couple months."
Gelonesi says once their training is complete, he and Ellie should be ready to hit the street sometime in May or June.
Stamford police also have five patrol K-9s.
