Officers, Dogs to compete in K-9 olympics

EAST HARTFORD – – Several police officers and their dogs will be heading to the annual K-9 Olympics on Saturday.

Officer Steven Grossi and his dog Odin; Officer John Zavalick and Raven; and officer Todd Mona and his dog Primo — both of whom were injured in January — will compete in the 17th annual event. Mona was shot in the leg and Primo was stabbed while responding to a domestic dispute in January.

“They are both doing well and excited to be going,” said Officer Hugo Benettieri.

The department created the first K-9 team in 1990 and have assisted in more than 1,000 arrests; searched more than 1.2 million square feet of residential and commercial space for suspects; and helped officers seized 100 pounds of marijuana, more than 13 pounds of cocaine and 450 grams of heroin.

The teams have also been successful at the annual Olympics, with more than a dozen first-place finishes. Last year, Grossi and his dog Odin placed first overall in the competition. During the 10th annual Olympics, the team took first, second and third place.

The daylong event will start at 8 a.m. and include K-9 units from local police departments, state police and state Department of Corrections. Teams are evaluated during a ring competition in an arena-style setting. Areas of competition include obedience, obstacles, evidence recovery, building search, marksmanship and an apprehension drill. The event will be held at the old University of Connecticut Campus on Route 44.

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