Christopher DePino, aged 9, a student at Totoket Valley Elementary School, was chosen by Mauro Piroli of the North Branford Police Department as the winner of the “Name the K9 Dog” contest sponsored by the Northford and North Branford Women’s Clubs GFWC. Proceeds from the contest went to the support of the new K9 Unit of the North Branford Police Department. Christopher chose the name Chase, “because the dog would be running around and chasing a lot.” Christopher was awarded a $100 savings bond donated by the Northford and North Branford Women’s Club for his winning entry.
Chase, a young male German shepherd, and Mauro Piroli, his new handler are in the process of an intensive sixteen week training course at the Law Enforcement Council in Southeast Connecticut. Subsequently, both Mauro and Chase will continue with monthly training sessions for the full term of the dog’s employment. The dog will live with the Mauro and remain in his care for the duration of his service.
The K9 police dog will be trained to enforce public order by locating suspects or finding missing persons or objects, chasing and holding suspects, searching buildings, and detecting illicit substances such as drugs that may be carried on a person or their belongings.
The North Branford Police Department with the help of The Northford and North Branford Women’s Clubs and several other civic groups, schools and businesses in town were able to raise more than $12,000 for the support of the new North Branford K-9 Unit.
