DOG SHOW FOR K-9 DRAWS A CROWD

Organizers stunned with full house to raise money for a new K-9 officer

Humans and dogs alike packed into the Eastlake Police Activities League Community Center Feb. 11, all in the name of helping the Eastlake Police Department raise funds for a new K-9.

It’s been about four years since the department had its last K9 team, said Chief Larry Reik.

In order to have a K-9 unit, you need an interested officer. Reik said they have an interested officer now who has helped spearhead fundraising discussions to help bring a team back to Eastlake.

The police department has done some of its own fundraising for a unit, getting donations ranging from $5 to $5,000.

“Everyone gets behind a dog,” Reik said.

Others in the city have been chipping to help raise money too. The Feb.11 event at the community center — the city’s first community dog show — was hosted by the city Economic Community Development Committee in conjunction with Councilman-At-Large Kimberly Evers and the Eastlake Police Activities League.

Michael Zuren, ECDC chairman and Eastlake councilman, said the turnout was much larger than expected.

Zuren wasn’t sure of official turnout figures, but said he was told the venue’s capacity is 600 and it was packed.

“We had a phenomenal public turnout,” he said.

The event itself was free, but there was a $10 fee for dogs entered into the show.

The show was broken into five prize eligible categories: biggest dog, smallest dog, best trained dog, best trick and costume contest.

Zuren said they had 38 dogs signed up initially but ended with close to 60, due to day-of registration.

Another fundraising source at the event was businesses and vendors who paid $20 to set up shop around the venue. There was also a Chinese auction with proceeds going to the K-9 fund.

“Getting the community behind the city is the most important thing we can do,” Zuren said. Reik said every bit helps. The K-9 and the training are actually the cheaper part, between $14,000 and

"Everyone gets behind a dog." — Eastlake Poice Chief Larry Reik

$16,000 he said. The specially equipped police cruiser for the K-9 unit can cost up to $40,000 he said. He said they could also try to get a used cruiser to use for the next few years.

K-9s are helpful for things like drug detection, Reik said, but there’s more to a K-9 than just crime fighting. They’re an asset to community relations.

“Kids are more relaxed with an officer and a dog,” he said.

ANDREW CASS — THE NEWS-HERALD A dog dressed as cupid competes in the costume contest portion of the Eastlake Community Dog Show Feb. 11. The event helped raise funds for a new K-9 for the Eastlake Police Department.