Bennington Police honor K-9 Gracie with training yard dedication

BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10)-- Bennington Police Department's K-9 Gracie will be uniquely remembered throughout South Vermont. The police department plans on building a K-9 training yard, dedicated in Gracie's name, the department announced Sunday.

The department said that before her passing, they had plans of building a training yard to allow for their K-9 team and others in Vermont to actively train and maintain the skills required to be an effective K-9 team. Officer Robert Murawski and Chief Doucette have kick-started those plans and will create a memorial in honor of her.

According to the police department, the site will be on the town of Bennington land and projected for Spring 2025. The training yard will be dedicated in Gracie's name.

Gracie passed away on Thanksgiving after a sudden medical event. According to the department, she was rushed to the Capital District Veterinary Hospital in Latham but passed before they arrived. She was assigned to Murawski for the last eight years.

A memorial service will be held on Dec. 4 at the Bennington Elks Lodge, 125 Washington Avenue, starting at 10 a.m. If interested in donating to the memorial or the training yard, donations are being accepted by drop-off at the Bennington Police Department or by mail to the department, 118 South Street.