I’ve never viewed any of my appendages as potential menu items at a barbecue. But apparently that could all change when I jump in the dog bite suit at the second annual “Bark in the Park: Canines for K-9” event at White Park on April 26.
At least according to WMUR’s Adam Sexton, who volunteered to be (safely) mauled last year.
“When the dog is gripping on (to the suit), he doesn’t really slide back and forth, but you get this sensation in your body that, wow, if this was my forearm he’d be going back and forth like a corn cob, totally shredding it,” Sexton said.
We assume he’d at least use those holders that look like tiny corncobs. I mean, he is a good dog, right?
But enough about the safety of my limbs. Bark in the Park makes its triumphant return for a second year so that proceeds can benefit the future restoration of a K-9 unit at the Concord Police Department.
The free dog- and family-friendly event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature demonstrations, raffles, competitions and educational displays, as well as a chance for family dogs to take part in activities like the costume parade, best trick competition, best features dog show and obedience.
It’s all to highlight the benefits of having a K-9 unit, which the Concord Police have been without for several years.
“I’m a strong supporter of K-9s in policing, especially municipal policing,” said Brad Osgood, acting police chief of the Concord department. “There’s a community policing element, where I think people by and large love dogs, and I think when you take a dog to a park or some community event to do a demonstration, people see that, see an interaction with the police officer and with the community with a dog. There are so many different things that are beneficial by having a dog (in the department).”
Osgood noted that dogs bring a different “presence” to crime scenes, and are also capable of searching abandoned buildings or other structures where possible suspects could be inside. They can also be trained to track missing people who may have wandered into the woods, he said.
“They can cover more territory than a human being,” Osgood said. “They’re quicker, and it adds a sense of efficiency and safety to the personnel.”
Here’s hoping there’s safety in wearing the dog bite suit, too. Those doing so April 26 – New Hampshire Public Radio’s Taylor Quimby and former WMUR reporter Kevin Flynn will be joining me – will be working with Fanto and his handler, Sgt. Nick Hodgen, of the Hillsboro Police Department, the same duo that were on hand last year when Sexton jumped into the ring.
Sexton attempted to assuage any worries I may have had – “the good news is it’s not as bad as it looks,” he said – and noted how remarkable it is to watch a trained animal react to his handler’s command.
“The only real scary part of it from my perspective is how this beautiful looking animal can go from happy with its tongue out and walking around and with a word, turns into a psychopathic killer,” Sexton said. “It only reinforces that this animal might not be as big as me, but it is certainly better equipped to do damage than I am.”
Meanwhile, your dog can do some damage to tasty treats available during the event from The Crust + Crumb Bakery and Puppy Love Hot Dogs. Pope Memorial SPCA will be onsite to install microchips, and Russell Animal Hospital will be offering dental checks. No Monkey Business Dog Training is among a host of other vendors that include Animal Allies, Brown Paw Bakery, Casey Jones Bones, Dancing Owl Photography and Libby’s Haven for Senior Canines.
To keep up with program and schedule announcements, follow Concord Public Safety Foundation on Facebook (at facebook.com/concordpublicsafety) and visit concordpublicsafety.org or email concordpublicsafety@gmail.com for more.
