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Police officer Pete Masood comforts his new dog, 14-week-old bloodhound Bolt, who Masood will train to become a member of the Fairfax County Police K9 unit. Bolt got his name by some common puppy antics involving a bolt from his crate.

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Hot on the Trail

The newest members of the Fairfax County Police Department don’t wear badges or carry guns. But they’re officers, just the same — and they’re awfully cute.

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On the Job and Hot on the Trail

Finding people is fun for new, police bloodhound pups.

“We’ll get them out here and acclimate them to the noises — gunfire, [vehicle] brakes and birds,” said Masood. They’ll also be exposed to airplanes, wind, rain, heat, car horns honking, plus obstacles such as fences. And they’ll learn how it feels on their paws to walk in the woods, through brush, on cement, carpet, tile floors, etc. That way, said Clarke, “When they get out on the street, when they’re almost a year old, they’ll be ready.”

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