University News

A ‘Pupdate’ on Maggie, Police Dog and Unofficial Student Recruiter

February 24, 2023 • By Jane Kelly, jak4g@virginia.edu Jane Kelly, jak4g@virginia.edu

Officer Logan Moore holding Maggie, the bloodhound, on the Lawn by the Rotunda

Maggie and her handler, officer Logan Moore, came back out to the Lawn for a sweet, one-month reunion. Some things have changed. She’s bigger and Moore’s mustache is no more. (All photos by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)

Her ears are a little longer and her sniffer a little stronger.

Maggie, the University of Virginia’s adorable police-dog-in-training, is three months into her special assignment as the school’s first bloodhound and she has discovered a brand-new talent as a student recruiter.

The University community was introduced to Maggie a month ago and the interest in her was so strong, UVA Today decided to check back in with the 35-pound-dog and her handler, officer Logan Moore.

Tuesday’s reunion happened to coincide with several admissions tours taking place on the Lawn. Before long, a mother and her twin daughters strayed from their tour group to get some facetime with Maggie.

Mom Kate Gardner and her fraternal twins and high school juniors Charlotte and Eva could not help themselves. “She is absolutely beautiful,” Kate said. “She’s perfect,” Charlotte added.

At 4 months of age, Maggie the bloodhound is still growing into her folds.

So, now that the Richmonders have met Maggie, how much more do Charlotte and Eva want to go to UVA?

“Like a hundred times more!” Eva said.

Maggie has started a new phase in her training as a tracking dog. Moore has a “runner” take off and hide behind a bush or a tree. “Then I send her out and if all goes well, she’ll find you and locate you,” he said.

Socialization for the pup is also still key. “We really can’t beat the amount of random interaction she gets on Grounds.” If all goes well, Maggie will begin her official duties in about four months.

A close up of Maggie's bloodhound puppy nose

The nose knows. Maggie’s olfactory receptors are on high alert these days because UVA’s Facilities Management team is mulching and aerating the Lawn for Final Exercises in May.