published Atlantic Highlands Herald 3 August 2006

press release

FREEHOLD, NJ — The Bayshore Companion Dog Club presented a bullet-proof canine vest to Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K-9, Jake, an explosive detection dog, and his partner, Sheriff’s Officer Patrick Hamor. The presentation was made at the Monmouth County Fair on Friday, July 28th, just prior to the club’s obedience training demonstration. Making the presentation was club president Jeannine Bennett and club member Joann Lesko.

Sheriff’s Officer Patrick Hamor, K-9 Jake, Jeannine Bennett, president, Bayshore Companion Dog Club and club member Joann Lesko.

Jake, a three-year-old Golden Retriever, and his partner, Sheriff’s Officer Patrick Hamor, graduated from the 12-week Port Authority K-9 School in June 2005. The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit consists of seven dogs: five explosive detection teams (K-9 Rocky – German Shepherd, K-9 Lexus – Chesapeake Bay Retriever, K-9 Zak – Labrador Retriever, K-9 Falco – German Shepherd and K-9 Jake – Golden Retriever), one tracking team (K-9 Luke– Bloodhound) and one narcotics detection dog (K-9 Sheba - German Shepherd.) The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit is called upon year-round to assist local police departments with explosive detection, criminal or missing person searches, and narcotics detection.

In 2005, the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit responded to 209 calls for assistance, including 17 narcotics calls, 21 criminal tracking calls, 18 missing person calls, and 153 explosive detection calls.

“I appreciate the generosity of the Bayshore Companion Dog Club in the donation of this vest to our K-9 unit,” said Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley. “This vest will help to ensure Jake’s safety as he carries out his duties with our K-9 Unit, helping to keep Monmouth County a safe and place in which to live, work and raise a family.”

The Bayshore Companion Dog Club, located in Eatontown, was organized in 1950 and has approximately 200 members from Monmouth and Ocean counties. The club teaches dog owners how to properly train their pets and offers training opportunities for dog owners.

For additional information, contact Undersheriff Ted Freeman at 732-577-5743 or visit www.sheriffoxley.com.