Deputy Dogs Dash coming May 27

Last year, Historic City News local reporters were introduced to K-9 Deputy “Inverness” by St Johns County Search and Rescue K-9 handler, Deputy Melanie Russell; whose partner “Kahlua” will be retiring next year after being credited with finding more than 50 missing people.

The non-profit organization, “832 Deputy Dogs” donated Inverness to Deputy Russell and the local Sheriff’s Office; but, Russell said, before the bloodhound pup was ready to go work as her new partner, it would cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to prepare the canine crime fighter.

Russell says her bloodhound partners have “changed her life” and is very thankful for the contributions made by “832 Deputy Dogs” to the law enforcement community. “They have done a tremendous amount for me,” said Russell in a recent interview.

Deputy Kody Snodgrass was employed with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office as a canine handler who wanted to dedicate his life to finding missing persons. In 2001, he was killed in a motorcycle accident. After his death, his family members founded “832 Deputy Dogs” to raise and train dogs specifically for that purpose.

Russell says she wants to give back, in a small way, something to the organization that she credits for making her work so rewarding. She is spearheading the “Deputy Dogs Dash”, on May 27th at Crescent Beach, to raise money to donate to “832 Deputy Dogs”.

For details or to register, contact DRC Sports by calling (904) 351-6330 or pickup a registration packet on May 26, 2012 between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm at A1A Cycle Works located at 1059 A1A Beach Boulevard in St Augustine.

The race begins at Crescent Beach Park located at 6930 A1A South.
Race-Day Registration opens at 6:00 am and the first of three events, the 5K, begins at 7:30 am.

Russell says that her hope is that they can raise enough money so that the next time a K-9 handler at a police agency needs a new search and rescue partner, “832 Deputy Dogs” will be able to help them, as well.