The 'running of the bulls' leads to the dressing of the dog

HARLEM VALLEY — A simple bet among four men turned into a highly successful fundraiser for the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, which, in turn, resulted in a bullet-proof vest for one bloodhound named Barney.

“He was the only dog in the department who didn’t have one,� said Barney’s partner, Deputy Carl Meritt.

Here’s what happened.

Amenia volunteer firefighters Joel Pelkey and Warren Gordon and Millerton volunteer firefighters Lenny Morrison and Billy Simmons got to talking about who could run the furthest the fastest. (There were reportedly quips exchanged about weights and ages, but we won’t get into the minutiae here.)

Bets were made, as was a phone call to NASCAR Dave MacMillan, over at Q103 FM in Lakeville, Conn. MacMillan was asked what outfit could use some donation dollars, and he suggested the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 unit.

“They called me and asked me what kind of charity can they give the money to, and I thought of the dogs,� MacMillan said. “But it’s these guys who did all the work.�

“We decided to do sponsorships and put money into the canine unit. It’s just amazing how four guys raising Cain could say, ‘We’re going to do something,’ and then start raising money,� Morrison said.

Roughly three weeks later, $3,250 was collected for the “running of the bulls,� as the participants had begun to call it.

“We found out that Barney needed a vest,� Pelkey said. “Now he gets to have that vest.�

“And I truly appreciate it,� Meritt said, adding that because the money was donated, taxpayers were saved the additional cost of having to purchase the vest through tax dollars. “Barney’s had lots of successes. We’ve made tracks from scenes of crime to certain locations where tracks would end. He’s a tool that’s used to stop crime... and his successes include when he can help build a case.�

“It helps immensely. We wouldn’t be able to get [the vest] without the donations,� said Sergeant Frank LaMonica, who runs the sheriff’s office’s K-9 division. “Even if the dogs don’t utilize the vests all the time, they’re there in case they need to use them, in case they go up against a known armed adversary.

“They’re of a very big benefit, not only to me but to others in the department,� LaMonica added, speaking about how valuable the canines are to all involved. “They help protect me, but they also help find people who run away or try to hide evidence. They do searches, criminal apprehension, handler protection and patrol. Other dogs do narcotics and explosives detection.�

Although more $3,250 was raised, only $700 was needed for the vest. The remainder of that money will go toward a new obstacle course to help train the department’s seven canines.

The sheriff’s deputies expressed a very big thank-you to the four racers who dreamed up the idea of running on a bet, raising money, and then donating that money to the K-9 unit. Meanwhile, Barney, who is not quite five years old, will continue to work side-by-side with Deputy Merritt, just as he has for the past four years. The 90-pound bloodhound may look complacent,  but don’t be fooled, for he stands at the ready and now, with his new vest, he’s geared up for nearly any situation.