By Debbie Pittman

RIO GRANDE COUNTY - Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was in the Valley over the weekend following up new leads in the Danice Day case.

The 19-year-old mother of two children was last seen January 9 in Monte Vista. Day left home, allegedly telling boyfriend Victor Braun that she was going out with friends. She left behind her car and cell phone.

DA's Investigator Shawn Woods and CBI investigators visited various locations in the Valley with special tracking bloodhounds supplied by Allen Duffy, owner of Bloodhound Investigations of Denver.

"We are investigating every lead," said Woods. Allen Duffy became involved with tracking dogs about 15 years ago when his own brother disappeared and was later found murdered in cold blood.

Said Duffy, "He just was in the wrong place at the wrong time and it cost him his life. If they had used bloodhounds at that time, they would have found my brother sooner and saved our family a lot of grief."

Duffy and his bloodhounds have worked cases as long as nine to 12 months after a disappearance.

A bloodhound's sense of smell is so incredibly sensitive and accurate that it has the distinction of being the only animal whose 'testimony' can be used as evidence in United States courts.

The dog's sense of smell is still the most effective way of locating missing people or people buried in avalanches. Sound detectors and other devices have a part to play, but are slow and cumbersome compared to "sniffer" dogs, Duffy said.

The investigation into Day's disappearance is ongoing and the DA's Office is still asking for the public's support.

A six-month extension has been granted on the $5,000 reward offered for information leading to the location of Danice Day.

Persons with any information may contact the DA at (719) 589-3691.