Westport Police Department Adds New K9 Officer

WESTPORT, CT — Atlas, a 19-month-old German Shepherd is the newest member of the Westport Police Department K9 Unit, officials announced this week.

The police service dog was acquired from Grasso Shepherds and will be handled by Officer David Scinto, and together the two will begin training this month with an expected certification as a patrol/narcotics detection canine in October. Officer Scinto and Atlas will join Officer Jim Loomer and PSD Koda, and Officer James Baker and PSD Chase in the K9 Unit.

"In response to the recent increase in drug abuse and heroin overdoses in the area, adding 'Atlas' as a third narcotic detection K9 better enables the department to enforce current drug laws," wrote Lt. Ryan Paulsson in a statement. "Also, starting in early September, Westport Police Officers will be one of the few departments in our area to be issued Narcan (an emergency treatment for known or suspected opioid overdose)."

The K9 Unit has never been a budgeted unit within the Police Department and instead has existed through donations from members of the community since the 1980s when the unit was created. Additionally, the unit has received long-time support from Dr. Joan Poster of the Poster Animal Hospital and Bill Mitchell of Mitchell’s of Westport.

"With the addition of PSD Atlas, the Westport Police Department is seeking help from the public in raising funds to cover the costs associated with his training, equipment and care. The Westport Police Department has set up a GO FUND ME page in an effort to raise $15,000 to cover these costs," according to Paulsson.

Donations can be made by visiting the GoFundMe page, or directly to the department:

The Westport Police Department K9 Unit
50 Jesup Road
Westport CT 06880

Photo: Westport police K9 Atlas. Photo credit: Contributed