Friends of Richmond K-9

The Retired K9 Program

Jodi — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:00:09 +0000

We are proud to announce the beginning of our Retired K-9 Program. Our Mission Statement is one that includes our vision to take care of our retired dogs as much as we can to take the burden off of the Officers who now bear the financial responsibility of their once active K-9 Partners. We at FORK9 feel that once a dog has served this community, protecting our lives and property, they should be protected through the end of life.

Because we take our mission very seriously, we would like to introduce to you the trifecta of our Retired K-9 Program.

The first is our Merial Preventative Care Program. The veterinary pharmaceutical company, Merial, has been unbelievably generous and has donated an ongoing supply of preventative heart-worm and flea/tick medicine to all of our retired K-9s. So generous, in fact, that they have allowed us to share our good fortune with the retired dogs of Henrico’s and Hanover’s Police K-9 Units. This was a HUGE first step in this program.

If this wasn’t enough, very shortly after we started the Merial Program, the second phase came together almost immediately. The Richmond K-9 Unit’s food supplier, Nature’s Select, decided to hop on board and be the lead sponsor in what is now called the Nature’s Select Food Program and they are joined by Royal Canin in helping feed our retired K-9s with an ongoing supply of unbelievably nutritious food. They have been delivering to Richmond K-9 for some time and our active K-9s are certainly at their best. Because of both of these food companies, we are once again able to share our good fortune with the officers who care for their retired K-9s from Henrico and Hanover.

Our third and final phase of the Retired K-9 Program is called the Retired K-9 Emergency Health Fund. For many reasons a retired K-9 might have the need for a life saving surgery, or a procedure that would cost in the thousands. Sometimes an active duty K-9 succumb to a life threatening condition called bloat or a heart condition that would mean a costly life saving procedure. We feel that instantly, this dog fits the criteria of a retired K-9 as the cost of such a surgery is not in the realm of the department’s budget. It is our hope that by summer’s end, we are able to announce the birth of our third and final part of this program. We will be looking for ways to supplement this fund and hope to have enough saved so that we are able to improve or save the life of a K-9 who has protected us with theirs.

Our organization has been extremely blessed with the support of the business community and we strive everyday to use that support in the most direct way possible.

To all of our Retired K-9 Program Sponsors…we thank you, the K-9s thank you and the officers of the Richmond Police Department’s K-9 Unit thank you.

K9 Officer Memorial Stone Revealed

Jodi — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:30:20 +0000

Friends of Richmond K9 were excited to reveal the K9 Officer Head Stone, memorializing the valiant and brave partners of Richmond Officers.

The memorial stone has been filled with the names of several past heroes and leaves space to continue to honor our canine companions after their passing in the future.

The memorial stone can be found at our Friends of Richmond K9 property- located at 814 Forest Lawn Dr.

K-9 PSA for New K-9 Unit Station House

Jodi — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:49:18 +0000

Contact information for you Council Representative and K-9 Video

Jodi — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:00:16 +0000

Thank you for viewing our video. You can help by writing an email or giving your Council Representative a call. You can find the contact info for all Council members and the Mayor below.

PLEASE help share and spread this video to your friends in the Richmond area so they can also be a part of our success in getting these amazing men, women and K-9s a new, safe and functional K-9 Department Station House.

Mayor Dwight Jones

Phone: (804)646-7970

askthemayor@richmondgov.com

Charles R. Samuels North Central 2nd Voter District

Office: (804)646-6532

Email Address: Charles.Samuels@Richmondgov.com

Ellen F. Robertson Gateway 6th Voter District

Office: (804)646-7964
Email Address:Ellen.Robertson@Richmondgov.com

Jonathan T. Baliles West End 1st Voter District

Tel: (804)646-5349
Email Address: jonathan.baliles@richmondgov.com

Christopher A. Hilbert Northside 3rd Voter District

Office: (804)646-6055
Email Address: Chris.Hilbert@Richmondgov.com

Kathy C. Graziano Southwest 4th Voter District

Office: (804)320-2454
Email Address:Kathy.Graziano@RichmondGov.com

Parker C. Agelasto Central 5th Voter District

Tel: (804)646-6050
Email Address:parker.agelasto@richmondgov.com

Cynthia I. Newbille East End 7th Voter District

Office: (804)646-3012
Email Address:Cynthia.Newbille@Richmondgov.com

Reva M. Trammell Southside 8th Voter District

Home: (804)233-7382

Mobile: (804)240-5050
Email Address:Reva.Trammell@Richmondgov.com

Michelle R. Mosby South Central 9th Voter District

Tel: (804)646-5497
Email Address:michelle.mosby@richmondgov.com

Jr. Board President, Samantha Strange, speaks to City Council

Jodi — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:56:25 +0000

Samantha Strange,12, spoke to Richmond City Council on behalf of the K-9 Unit’s plea for a new and functional building. “I don’t understand why the people who make decisions on new buildings don’t give these officers a better building” Samantha asks. She adds, “These officers protects the citizens with their lives.My question is…WHO IS PROTECTING THEM!”

Enough said! Well done, Samantha!

Officer Monty Agee and K-9 Phantom make ironic apprehension

Jodi — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:25:30 +0000

http://wtvr.com/2013/03/04/two-richmond-teen-crooks-caught-in-dog-house/

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)–Facing grand larceny and vandalism charges, two teenage boys find themselves in a literal dog house when they tried to avoid capture, only to be tracked down by Richmond K-9 Officer Monty Agee and his partner Phantom.

Phantom takes his commands in German, but there was no language barrier when his handler Agee threatened to release him to track down two teenage suspects.

“After the second time of saying, “I will release my dog and you may be bitten,” they screamed out they were giving up,” said Agee.

The boys were wanted for trying to steal an ATV from a business on Jeff Davis Highway. Agee says patrol officers kept containment on the perimeter, which made the job easier for Phantom and him to quickly jump in.

The teens were located inside a 10’ by 10’ dog kennel in the backyard of a house in the 2300 block of Fairfax Avenue.

“Out of the kennel came a baby pit bull and two suspects we were chasing,” said Agee.

This was Phantom’s fourth successful catch in his rookie year working for Richmond Police. “He chases suspects, finds evidence they drop,” said Agee. “And most important, I think, is he protects me.”

The dog kennel capture was a first for Phantom but surprisingly, not for Officer Agee. “I found an adult male inside a dog house one time in a backyard curled up with nothing but his rear hanging out,” he said. “He went in head-first, so it happens.”

Police tell us the teens are juveniles and they believe the teens knew the homeowner where the dog kennel is located.

Colonial Shooting Academy fundraiser was a huge success!

Jodi — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:02:43 +0000

Thank you to all who came out to support “Friends of Richmond K9″ and your K-9 Unit of Richmond Police. We raised close to $2,000.00 for the needs of our K-9 Unit. There is no doubt that next year is going to be even bigger and better that this year.

The day started out with a crowd gathering around our T-shirts and Calendars. People started showing up for their opportunity to show their stuff in the firing range. Even two of our own K-9 officer, Walter “Puddin” Stone and officer Fred Bates took a shot at the competition.

Half way through the event, our K-9 Unit and Handlers showed their stuff as one by one, showing what each of our different types of K-9s could do. The crowed stood in excitement as our Patrol dogs showed focus and control, our narcotics dogs showed the ability of a K-9′s trained nose and the crowed squeeled as Tracker K-9s Hopper and Knick (both Bloodhounds) mingled through the crowd and allowed both young and old to show them some love.

For all who came, we thank you for your support. For all of those who wish they came, see you next year!

Jodi Strange conveys support for RPD’s application for a new K-9 Unit Building

Jodi — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:39:34 +0000

Jodi Strange, President of “Friends of Richmond K9”, speaks to Richmond City Council in support of the Richmond Police Department’s 1.5 Million Dollar Application for a new construction building on the current K-9 Property. This new building would replace the current K-9 Department building which was originally used as a chemical storage facility when it was built in the late 1940s.

Friends of K9 Jr. Board hosts Fundraiser at DeLuca Gelato

Scott — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:11:21 +0000

On October 7, 2012 the Friends of K9 Jr. Board hosted a fundraiser at DeLuca Gelato in
the West End. It was a great turnout and kids of all ages got to see some of the K9 Officers
as well as one of the Police K9s. Thanks to our Jr. Board and all that came out to support
us. Keep checking back for our next exciting event.

K9 Demo at Dog Services on Thalbro St

Scott — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 14:50:32 +0000

What a fun event!!! “Friends of Richmond K-9″ had a great time introducing ourselves to
the Community. It was OPEN HOUSE at Dog Services at 4800 Thalbro Rd. Everyone
there enjoyed a Demonstration given by the K-9 Unit of the Richmond Police.

Sergeant Michael Bohannon, Officer Kevin Mills and Officer Wes Moore amazed the crowd
with the unbelievable ability and control of these Patrol and Narcotics K-9s. If you haven’t
seen one of our Demos, make sure you try and find one in the near future.

Thank you Dog Services for including us in your fun afternoon. What an amazing business
you have!!!

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook. You will be able to see where and when our next
event will be.

Our very happy collectors… Matt Walls (10) and Ben Walls (11) are showing off the very
first “Friends of Richmond K-9″ Trading Card. This “Macon” card is the first of 13 cards
to be given out at our local events. Follow us around Richmond as you decide which one of
our 13 dogs is your favorite. Is it Vader…our Strong and Protective Patrol Dog, or is it
Hopper…our trusty Bloodhound who will melt your heart with just one look. Be one of the
first 20 kids to collect all 13 and let us know via email and there will be a something
special waiting to happen after your collection is complete.