SAGINAW, MI — A friendly competition between a Saginaw Police Department K-9 and a colleague from Minnesota is underway, to see which dog can sell more pet treats bearing their names and visages. The goal is to raise funds so a furry law enforcer can get an costly life-saving vest.
Saginaw’s Deebo, a 7-year-old German shepherd, is vying against Chase, a Belgian Malinois, with the Hibbing Police Department in northern Minnesota, in the Skylar’s Scholarships fundraiser. Both dogs have had beef-tip treats made in their names, with the packaging featuring their likenesses.
The dog treats are being sold for $14.99, while cat treats are going for $12.99. The treats are made by 4-Leg Fundraiser in Omaha and are only sold for fundraising purposes.
“Whoever sells the most by Sunday (Nov. 14) will get a year’s supply of these dog treats,” said Saginaw Police Officer Rob Adams, Deebo’s handler. “All the funds raised go to this Skylar Scholarships, which is uses their money for dog bulletproof vests.”
As of noon on Nov. 11, Deebo is trailing with 118 bags sold compared to Chase’s 178, though Adams believes that can be turned around. The totals do not update in real time, but do so daily at 5 p.m.
A bag of dog treats bearing the name and likeness of Saginaw Police Department K-9 Deebo.
A Minnesota woman nominated Deebo for the competition.
The idea for the contest came from Lisa Veit, who named Skylar’s Scholarships after her own dog. She said she was inspired to create the contest to help police K-9s, who often don’t get much money from the cities they work in.
“This is the very first time we’ve done it,” Veit said. “I wanted to make this really fun. I think it’s been really fun for people and it’s a great way to raise funds.”
Deebo in September received the Police Officers Association of Michigan’s K-9 of the Year Award. Chase won A&E’s ‘America’s Top Dog’ in the show’s 2020 season.
“Who better to pit each other against each other?” Veit said.
The funds raised will go toward the purchase of a K-9 ballistics vest, which can range from $1,000 to $2,000, Adams said. The vest will not necessarily go toward either the Saginaw or Hibbing department, but to whichever department in the country is in need of it and applies for it.
“The treat company has been very grateful to us as well,” Veit said. “The treats are 100% all-beef, with no additives or preservatives. They’re freeze-dried and will last for two years.”
In addition to the winning dog getting a year’s supply of treats, the dog who comes in second-place will get a six-month supply, Veit said. Both police agencies are also to get a monetary donation in their respective K-9′s names, Veit said.
Deebo was sworn-in as a Saginaw police officer in October 2016. In February 2020, he was stabbed in his head by a suspect, but has since recovered.
“He hasn’t skipped a beat,” Adams said. “He’s hitting it hard, working lots of hours. He’s just happy to be around.”
Deebo is one of five K-9s with the department, the others being Cigan, Harvey, Mitch, and Ares. Mitch is slated for retirement at the end of November, so the department will be looking to fill his slot, Adams said.
To purchase bags of treats, visit the link to Skylar’s Scholarships here.
Read more:
Saginaw’s newest police dog, Deebo, meets city officials
Saginaw police K-9 Deebo cleared for light training after he was stabbed in head
Meet Ares, Saginaw Police Department’s newest crime-fighting K-9
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Saginaw K-9 competes with Minnesota colleague in pet treat fundraiser for ballistic vest - MLive.com
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