North Dakota Highway Patrol Adds Second Bloodhound to Fargo Team

The public can vote on the new K9 officer's name from four options.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:39am

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The North Dakota Highway Patrol is welcoming a new bloodhound to its team in February, with the K9 officer to be stationed in Fargo. Before the dog reports for duty, the public can vote on four name options chosen by the trooper who will be the dog's partner.

Why it matters

The addition of a second bloodhound to the North Dakota Highway Patrol will expand the agency's search and rescue capabilities, especially in the Fargo region. Bloodhounds are highly skilled at tracking scents and have proven valuable in locating missing persons.

The details

The North Dakota Highway Patrol got its first bloodhound, named Gary, in spring 2025. Gary is stationed in the northeast region of the state and has already assisted in tracking a missing 10-year-old boy in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The new Fargo-based bloodhound will further bolster the agency's resources for search and rescue operations.

  • The new bloodhound will join the North Dakota Highway Patrol team in February 2026.
  • The public can vote on the dog's name - Beau, Oslo, Mack or Leo - on the Highway Patrol's Facebook page.

The players

North Dakota Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling North Dakota's highways and assisting with search and rescue operations.

K9 Gary

The North Dakota Highway Patrol's first bloodhound, stationed in the northeast region of the state and recently involved in a missing persons case in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

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What’s next

The public can vote on the new bloodhound's name - Beau, Oslo, Mack or Leo - on the North Dakota Highway Patrol's Facebook page.

The takeaway

The addition of a second bloodhound to the North Dakota Highway Patrol's team in Fargo will enhance the agency's search and rescue capabilities, building on the success of its first bloodhound, K9 Gary, in assisting with missing persons cases.