ATHOL — Police officers, bloodhounds, German shepherds and uniformed members of the JrROTC from Montachusett Technical Regional School were visible during training exercises around the downtown area Thursday.
The Northeast Houndsmen are hosting their annual training seminar for law enforcement K-9 teams from Athol, Orange, Phillipston, Templeton, Royalston, Gardner and beyond. Training exercises began Wednesday and conclude today at the Tully Dam recreational area. A number of members from the JrROTC have been assisting with the training. Instructor Shawn Conley from the Sutton Police Department said 18 teams, dogs and handlers of the hounds and shepherds were participating.
Small groups were conducting individual tracking sessions around Main Street and near the Athol Police station on Exchange Street. Badge had just been put through the paces and successfully tracked the owner of a shotgun shell, which was masked by four different scents. “He had to figure out which scent was missing,” said Conley, adding “bloodhounds are expert trailers. A Shepherd does all kinds of jobs.”