Wilton Police Looking For New K-9 Officer

WILTON, Conn. -- Due to non-life threatening medical issues of their current K-9 Officer Enzo, the Wilton Police Department is in the process of a finding a new K-9 to take his place -- something that's not an easy task with dogs and their training running as high as $20,000.

Officer Eric Patenaude and K-9 Harco prior to a night mission during their deployment to Afghanistan in 2012 with the Marines.
Photo Credit: *Wilton Police Department/Facebook*

K Reakes

07/06/2016 5:15 p.m.

To help get the unit on its feet, the department has selected Officer Eric Patenaude to take over the K-9 Unit and to find the perfect dog.

To prevent the unit from being without a dog for too long, Patenaude is in the process of raising funds and taking donations for the new dog.

Patenaude has been a police officer with Wilton for a little over two years. Prior to that he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years. During that time, he served three combat tours, one to Iraq, and two to Afghanistan. During the last five years in the military, Patenaude said he was fortunate enough to join Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), where he joined the K-9 world.

"I was in love from the beginning. During my time I had two K-9s, from two totally different training styles. This is a passion for me and I look forward to sharing this passion with the residents of Wilton, and surrounding towns," he said in a Facebook post.

He is hoping that the community will step up and help the department raise enough money for the new dog. The department is currently taking donations. hoping to raise at least $20,000. Residents interested in donating, should send a check to: Town of Wilton K-9 Unit, Wilton Police Department, 240 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT, 06897.

To watch Patenaude's search for a new dog, or for other Police Department news, click here.

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