Hot Dog! Contest to Benefit Redlands K9 Program at Hangar 24

Think you've got what it takes to put away a winning amount of hot dogs?  Well, the Redlands Police Department is hosting a hot dog eating contest in conjunction with a local brewery, and they're looking for participants.

A total of 20 people– 10 women and 10 men– will be allowed to compete in the event on March 23 at Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, 1710 Sessums Drive, according to police spokesman Carl Baker.

In order to get into the contest, though, potential participants need to help raise money for the department's K9 unit.  

"The minimum entry to be considered is $100, but only the top money earners will be eligible to compete for the grand prize," Baker said.  "The grand prize is $100 in gift cards to Hangar 24 and $100 in value and prizes from other area businesses. Money raised will go to benefit the Redlands Police Department’s Canine Unit."

Sign-ups and donations must be received by 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at one of the following locations:

• Redlands Police Department, 1270 W. Park Ave.
• Hangar 24 tasting room, 1710 Sessums Drive
• Toyota of Redlands, 921 New York St.

Those who are deemed eligible to compete will be told on March 21, Baker said.

The Redlands Police Department's canine program began in 2008, when an officer used private donations to get Radar, a black Labrador mix who worked as a drug-sniffing dog until last year.

At that point the department got a 3-year-old chocolate Labrador named Kass, "who has been fully trained as an odor narcotic detection dog and now works with his partner Officer Patrick Estrada," Baker said.

"Both dogs have helped in the interdiction and recovery of more than 50 kilos of methamphetamine, 20 kilos of cocaine, hundreds of pounds of marijuana and hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug-related money," Baker added.  "Kass also provides regular service to local schools through a contract with the Redlands Unified School District."

Since the program's inception, training, food, medical, lodging and grooming costs for the canines have been funded entirely through private donations, with no cost to the City’s General Fund, the spokesman said.

The Redlands Police Department also accepts direct donations to the Canine program. Contact your tax professional to determine if your donation is tax deductible. Donations may be made out to the City of Redlands, attention Police Canine Fund, tax ID number 95-6000766. For further information, contact Patrick Estrada at (909) 647-7872 or by email at pestrada@redlandspolice.org.