Caring for canines: Hot dog fundraiser supports retired Lake County Sheriff’s Office K-9s

A good crowd gathered for the K-9 hot dog fundraiser Tuesday afternoon at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Lakeport.

Tala Morshed, center, and Jacob Lopez serve hot dogs at a fundraiser for retired police K-9s Tuesday afternoon outside of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Lakeport. The event drew a large enough crowd that a trip to the store had to be made for more hot dogs halfway through the fundraiser.

Photos by Berenice Quirino — Lake County Publishing Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Detective Jerry Pfann pets police K-9 Lucia Tuesday afternoon. The LCSO hosted a hot dog benefit for its retired police dogs. Money from the fundraiser will go toward medical bills and food for three former LCSO dogs. Lucia, an 8-year-old lab mix, is one of three K-9s currently employed by the LCSO. To make a donation to the Retired Medical Canine Fund, send it to P.O. Box 489, Lakeport, CA 95453 or deliver it at the sheriff’s office in Lakeport.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mauricio Barreto with his K-9 Gracie. The two have been partners for almost four years. “She’s great,” said Barreto of the 8-year-old English lab, “we do everything together,” like work out. He said Gracie, who he takes home, loves the family cat and is great with children. Working side by side with a K-9 on patrol for narcotics is rewarding, Barreto said, jokingly adding that the best part of having a K-9 partner is she “doesn’t talk back.”

Lake County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Rico is 5 years old.