Not Your Run-Of-The-Mill Dog Show Set For South Jersey
SICKLERVILLE, N.J. (CBS) -- Police dogs from far and wide will converge on one South Jersey community next week to compete for the title of top dog.
You might call this the Police Dog Olympics. Officially, it's known as the United States Police Canine Association National Patrol Dog Trials.
Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer says more than 100 teams will take part starting Monday.
"That's going to bring teams from throughout the nation, Canada and Mexico to compete here for one week," Mayer told KYW Newsradio.
Dogs and their handlers will be tested on the rigors of on the job work to receive national accreditation. That covers everything from basic obedience to evidence retrieval to suspect apprehension.
Township patrolman Chris Gerace and his partner, Arrow, are getting ready. Because the judging can be tough. "You're dealing with judges that you may have never met before," Gerace said. "And now they're judging your dog on the standards, saying that your dog meets the standards and hopefully excels at them."
The winner gets a trophy and bragging. Or is it barking rights?
The four-day competition ends Thursday, September 29 with an evening awards ceremony at Timber Creek High School. All events are free and open to the public.
Not a dime of tax money is being spent. The $70,000 price tag for hosting the event is being covered by private donations.
More information is available at the Gloucester Township website