SALT LAKE CITY – A dog who started out as a pet went on to work for the Salt Lake City Police department due to his tracking skills, and now a book about the canine is out on shelves.
J.J. the bloodhound served with the police for nearly nine years before he died from cancer, and on Saturday the author of “Bloodhound in Blue: The True Tale of Police Dog JJ and His Two-Legged Partner” held a book signing at The King's English Bookshop.
The book was written by Adam David Russ, who will also be signing books and meeting with readers at Dolly's Bookstore, 510 Main Street in Park City, Monday at 2 p.m.
J.J.’s tenure with the police changed the way many people think about dogs in urban police departments—normally such departments use German shepherds or malinois.
J.J. specialized in tracking criminals, and he caught nearly 300 of them in his career.
Canine officer Michael Serio, Salt Lake City Police Department, said J.J. was a skilled tracker.
“He was able to track guys that wouldn't normally be caught,” he said. “He was able to track for long distances and tracks that were older in age and through urban environments."
Several years ago there weren’t any bloodhounds serving locally, but now there are nearly 10 working in the Salt Lake Valley.
For more information, visit the book’s Facebook page.
