North Dakota Highway Patrol Welcomes New K-9 Beau

The 9.5-week-old bloodhound will train in Fargo-Moorhead to help search for missing people.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The North Dakota Highway Patrol has welcomed a new K-9 member, a 9.5-week-old bloodhound named Beau. Beau's handler, Trooper Dustin Pattengale, says the puppy will undergo training in basic obedience and exposure to new environments as he prepares to help search for missing people in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Why it matters

K-9 units play a crucial role in law enforcement, assisting with search and rescue operations, evidence detection, and other critical tasks. The addition of Beau to the North Dakota Highway Patrol's team will enhance their capabilities in locating missing individuals and supporting public safety efforts in the region.

The details

Beau, the new K-9 officer, is a 9.5-week-old bloodhound who joined the North Dakota Highway Patrol on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. His handler, Trooper Dustin Pattengale, says Beau's initial training will focus on basic obedience and getting the puppy accustomed to different environments, such as small confined spaces, loud noises, and areas with many people. Pattengale explains that they've been taking Beau to various locations, including the Equine Center, to help him become comfortable with different sights and sounds.

  • Beau joined the North Dakota Highway Patrol on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Beau

A 9.5-week-old bloodhound who is the newest K-9 officer with the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Trooper Dustin Pattengale

Beau's handler and a member of the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

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What they’re saying

“We've been taking him around to a bunch of different places, places that have small, small confinement, or loud noises, or lots of people. We went up to the Equine Center just the other week and we got him used to horses.”

— Trooper Dustin Pattengale, Beau's handler (inforum.com)

What’s next

Beau will continue his training in the coming months, focusing on basic obedience and exposure to new environments, as he prepares to assist the North Dakota Highway Patrol in search and rescue operations.

The takeaway

The addition of Beau, a new K-9 officer, to the North Dakota Highway Patrol's team will enhance their capabilities in locating missing individuals and supporting public safety efforts in the Fargo-Moorhead region. The extensive training Beau will undergo will ensure he is well-prepared to serve his community effectively.