Community Corner
Lake County Students Invited To Name New Sheriff's Office Dog
The canine naming contest is open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Submissions must begin with the letter 'D.'
WAUKEGAN, IL — The Lake County Sheriff's Office is holding a naming contest for its latest canine addition, inviting local students to dub the new dog.
Sheriff's office staff plan to acquire its fifth dog, which is expected to be a German shepherd between 1 ½ and 2 years old, later this month.
“I could not be prouder of the service our canine teams provide to the Lake County community," Sheriff John Idleburg said. "I am very thankful the Lake County Board also recognized their contributions and authorized us to expand our canine unit."
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In February, the county board appropriated a $20,000 grant from the D.A.S. Charitable Fund for the Preservation of Feline Animal Life. It marked the fifth year the sheriff's office has received the grant, which is used to cover the cost of food, training and medical care for its dogs.
Other than K9 Boomer, who was acquired in 2017, the sheriff's office's three other dogs — Dax, Diesel and Duke — have all been named by local students. Dax, Diesel and Duke are 7 years old, Boomer is 6.
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The canine quartet has collectively been responsible for tracking down hundreds of missing people, fleeing suspects, hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs and numerous discarded firearms and other evidence, according to a sheriff's office spokesperson.
"I know our new addition will provide great value to Lake County and we are excited to see the names selected by our countywide youth,” Idleburg said, announcing the contest Wednesday.
RELATED: Lake County Bomb-Sniffing Dog K9 Boomer Wins Top National Awards
Students in public, private or homeschool environments were all invited to participate in the naming contest. The student who selects the winning name will be invited to take part in the swearing-in ceremony for the sheriff's office newest addition.
Rules:
- Names must begin with the letter "D"
- Submissions must be sponsored by a teacher or parent/guardian of a student currently enrolled in grades K-9
- One entry per student
Name submissions will be accepted until 9 a.m. April 28.
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