Calico Rock, Arkansas — In a gripping manhunt that has captured national attention, bloodhounds are at the forefront of efforts to recapture escaped convict Grant Hardin, infamously dubbed the “Devil in the Ozarks.” Hardin, a former police chief convicted of murder and rape, escaped from the North Central Unit prison on May 25, 2025, by impersonating a corrections officer.
The Great Escape
On the afternoon of May 25, 2025, Hardin executed a daring escape from the North Central Unit, a medium-security prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas. Disguised in a makeshift uniform resembling that of a corrections officer, he wheeled a cart containing a box and wooden planks through a prison gate, deceiving a guard into granting him passage. The escape was discovered during a routine headcount approximately 15–20 minutes later, triggering a full-scale lockdown and search.
Bloodhounds Join the Chase
Shortly after the escape, a bloodhound from the prison’s specialized canine unit picked up Hardin’s scent. However, heavy rains soon washed away the trail, complicating tracking efforts. Despite the setback, experts remain optimistic, noting that bloodhounds can return to a lost scent trail even days later—thanks to their extraordinary olfactory memory.
The Fugitive’s Background
Grant Hardin, 56, was once the police chief of Gateway, Arkansas. In 2017, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of James Appleton, a local water department employee. In 2019, Hardin received an additional 50-year sentence after DNA evidence linked him to a 1997 rape. His violent and manipulative history has led to national media coverage, including an HBO Max documentary titled Devil in the Ozarks, which chronicled his crimes and downfall.
The Manhunt Intensifies
The Arkansas Department of Corrections, aided by the FBI and U.S. Marshals, has intensified efforts to recapture Hardin. Drones, helicopters, and canine units are scouring the rugged, wooded terrain surrounding Calico Rock. The Ozark wilderness, with its dense forests, cliffs, and caves, presents a challenging backdrop for search teams. Authorities have offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to Hardin’s capture and are asking the public to remain alert.
Bloodhound Have Superpowered Noses
Bloodhounds are known for having the most powerful noses in the dog world. They possess around 300 million scent receptors—compared to about 5 million in humans. This allows them to detect and differentiate minute scent particles with astonishing accuracy.
Scents that Last for Days
Bloodhounds are so skilled at scent tracking that they can follow trails that are several days old, even across difficult terrain or bodies of water. Their ability to pick up a trail long after it’s gone cold makes them invaluable in fugitive hunts like this one.
Ears and Wrinkles Serve a Purpose
The long, droopy ears and loose, wrinkled skin of a bloodhound aren’t just for show. Their ears help sweep scent toward their noses, while their skin traps and concentrates those odors, allowing them to home in on a specific trail with greater precision.
Trained from a Young Age
Tracking bloodhounds are often trained from puppyhood to recognize and follow human scents. At facilities like Calico Rock’s North Central Unit, they are routinely used not only to locate escapees but also to find lost persons and assist in law enforcement operations.
A Bloodhound’s Testimony Holds in Court
One of the few breeds whose scent-trailing evidence has been admitted in U.S. courts, bloodhounds have a long-standing history of aiding the justice system. Their tracking reliability is so well-respected that trails they follow have been used to support criminal cases.
Community on Edge
The escape has rattled nerves in small communities around the region. Cheryl Tillman, the mayor of Gateway and sister of murder victim James Appleton, voiced deep concern: “It’s déjà vu all over again,” she told reporters, lamenting the trauma Hardin has inflicted on multiple families. Many residents are locking their doors and checking security systems, knowing the terrain could shelter a dangerous man for days or even weeks.
Public Asked to Stay Alert
As the manhunt enters its second week, law enforcement agencies continue to request public cooperation. Anyone with possible sightings or tips is urged to contact the FBI. Officials caution citizens not to approach Hardin, who is considered extremely dangerous.
Despite setbacks from weather and terrain, authorities remain determined. With the aid of one of nature’s finest tracking machines—the bloodhound—it’s only a matter of time before the “Devil in the Ozarks” is brought back to justice.
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
