‘9K for K9s’ race to raise money to protect dogs

Charity event proceeds will be invested in heat alarms, first-aid kits

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and other Central Florida law enforcement agencies are looking for help supporting their K-9 dogs through an upcoming charity race.

The “9K for K9s” event takes place 8 a.m. Dec. 1 at 3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway, Apopka, and 100 percent of proceeds will go toward lifesaving equipment necessary for law enforcement dogs.

K9s United started raising money for K9 dogs four years ago in St. Johns County. This will be the first time the 9K, 5K and 1-mile fun run charity events will be organized in Central Florida, said Robert Ramos, master deputy with the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office K-9 unit.

“This event isn’t just to support the dogs in Orange County but also 18 Central Florida agencies,” he said. “These dogs are extremely important and we got to make sure they’re protected. They’re more than just a partner or a dog riding a long in a car. They do things a lot quicker and safer than any deputy can do.”

The proceeds will be invested toward bite suits, first-aid kits and heat alarms.

“That’s our No. 1 priority is to equip every K-9 unit with a heat alarm,” Ramos said.

K-9 dogs are usually left in a K-9 unit patrol car with the air conditioning running. Heat alarms alert the deputy if the air has shut off for any reason, Ramos said.

“The windows will come down, the sirens will go off and the deputy will receive an alert on their phone thanks to an app,” he said.

K-9 heat-exposure related deaths do happen. In 2016, a Kissimmee K-9 reportedly died of heat stroke after a police officer left his partner, K-9 police officer Igor, in his car without air conditioning.

The 9K event will support 30 of Orange County’s dogs — 18 patrol dogs and 12 single-purpose specialty dogs for tasks such as tracking people or identifying narcotics.

Race entry fees are $18. The application can be filled on the day of the race or at K9sunited.org/events.