The American Bloodhound Club will honor K-9 Taffy, a member of the Department's Search and Rescue.
Taffy's handler, Reserve Lt. Doug Williams said the honor is the result of a life's work by the 8 year old hound.
She's found numerous lost children and has helped capture a career's worth of criminals, including some who were sent to prison for murder, Lt. Williams said.
The award will be given to Taffy at a banquet in Long Beach on October 3, 2008.
Here is the criteria for the Award that will be bestowed on Taffy.
The American Bloodhound Club
Meritorious Service Award for a Bloodhound Nomination
The American Bloodhound Club may present one "Meritorious Service Award for a Bloodhound" per year. The Bloodhound and owner chosen for this award will receive a commemorative prize. Criteria for this award shall be the performance of extraordinary service to the community by a purebred Bloodhound as documented by either American Kennel Club, Canadian Kennel Club, or other foreign registry. This service must be in the areas of volunteer search and rescue, law enforcement work, therapy work, or any other form of service achievement. Show or performance event records, including ABC mantrailing titles, are not acceptable qualifications for this award. The owner of the Bloodhound need not be an ABC member; rather, the dog and owner must have performed exemplary service to the community. Both living and deceased Bloodhounds are eligible for nomination.
The American Bloodhound Club may present one "Meritorious Service Award" per year. The award shall consist of an engraved 14" solid maple plate. Criteria for the award shall be outstanding service to the American Bloodhound Club and/or the Bloodhound breed. Please ensure that the nominee has served well beyond the realm of fulfilling an elected office or appointed position. The nominee need not be an ABC member, but must have performed exemplary service to our breed.
To find out about the American Bloodhound Club visit their Website at http://www.bloodhounds.org/
For one of the kudos collected by Taffy in her career: Bloodhound Response AV.pdf (568.33 kb)
For a South Coast Magazine Article on Taffy: South Coast Magazine.pdf (669.92 kb)
For an account of Taffy's Peabody Award: Peabody Award Article.pdf (597.81 kb)
A California Gold Star Award was given to the team, see an article about it: CA Goldstar Award.pdf (536.01 kb)