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Winston-Salem Police Adds New K-9 to Force

The new K-9, Ruby, is training to help the local police department track and trail missing persons in the area.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Dogs

A hound dog stands alert in a dew-covered grassy field near a forest, reflecting the start of specialized search-and-rescue training.
The Winston-Salem Police Department has added Ruby, a new K-9 officer, to its force to assist in searching for missing persons. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Winston-Salem Police Department has officially added a new K-9 officer named Ruby to its force. The young hound is currently undergoing specialized training to track and trail missing persons.

Why it matters

Adding a specialized K-9 unit enhances the local department's capability to locate high-risk individuals in the community. This addition represents an expansion of the force's search-and-rescue resources.

K-9 Ruby is a mix of Plott hound and Hanoverian scent hound. The police department confirmed the dog is tasked with locating high-risk missing persons upon graduation.

The players

Winston-Salem Police Department

The local law enforcement agency responsible for public safety and emergency response in the city.

Ruby

A Plott and Hanoverian scent hound mix serving as the newest K-9 officer.

The details

Ruby undergoes rigorous training focused on tracking and trailing humans across various environments. This process develops the dog's ability to follow specific scents over long distances to assist officers in missing person cases.

Timeline

  1. August 2, 2026: K-9 Ruby was born.

The Home Front

Integrating specialized scent-tracking canines is a long-standing practice within municipal public safety protocols. Such investments are intended to bolster search efficiency and improve outcomes for the local community.

Residents can take comfort in knowing that specialized tracking resources are being strengthened for emergency situations. Keep local missing person alert contact information saved in your phone as part of your family safety plan.

The takeaway

The deployment of Ruby highlights the critical role of highly trained hounds in effective search-and-rescue efforts. Families should remember to always keep a recent photo of loved ones on hand to assist local law enforcement in the event of an emergency.

Further reading

Learn more about local pet news and community programs in the Dogs section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Myfox8.