Local law enforcement officials and elected leaders were on hand Tuesday for the ribbon cutting of the K-9 Memorial in Buffalo's Black Rock Canal Park.
The monument is a massive, half-ton block of rock with a polished face carrying the names of police dogs who have served or are serving with the Erie County Sheriff's Department. Names of dogs from other agencies will soon go on the monument, probably including many of the dogs who attended the event yesterday.
"These canine officers do a tremendous job in law enforcement. The dogs themselves work harder than anyone I know of," said Sheriff's Captain Sean Simet.
"You're talking about a partner that loves to go to work every day, is a great listener, never complains."
The monument is located next to two bark park areas, which allow for separated exercise areas for large and small dogs.
It's part of a multi-million dollar reconstruction of the decrepit Ontario Street Boat Launch, renamed for the nearby Black Rock neighborhood.
State Senator Mark Grisanti says the Western New York delegation in Albany recently persuaded Governor Cuomo to sign legislation making it a felony to kill a police dog or police horse.
