DuPage County Sheriff Adds New Bloodhound, Hope, To K-9 Force

WHEATON, IL — The DuPage County Sheriff's Office recently added a new bloodhound to its K-9 force and the pup has already started training to learn how to track and trail missing people. The bloodhound was named Hope, in memory of Baby Hope, whose body was found in unincorporated Wheaton in 2016.

Hope started her training with Deputy Laura Richardson, along with the Midwest Emergency Response Team and members of the sheriff's office K-9 Unit. She's expected to be ready to work full time as a certified member of the K-9 Unit by November.

She'll replace Deputy Richardson's current K-9 Deputy, Bella, who is preparing for retirement.

Hope was donated to the sheriff's office by Susanna Anderson and Legend Bloodhounds, based in Osceola, Wisconsin. In a statement, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said, "I want to thank Legend Bloodhounds for giving us an asset like this to allow us to track missing people. These dogs are invaluable when it comes to tracking those afflicted with dementia, autism, as well as finding suspects and victims of crime."

The DuPage County Sheriff's Office says it is one of a "select few agencies in DuPage County to have bloodhounds as working dogs." Their team includes three other bloodhounds Praise, Tilly and Bella.