K9 Dax, Deputy Go To Hollywood: 2019 Hero Dog Awards

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Sheriff's Office K9 Dax and his partner, Deputy Forlenza, visited the West Coast over the weekend to attend the 2019 American Humane Hero Dog Awards in Hollywood. As one of seven finalists who were up for the title of the 2019 American Hero Dog, Dax, Deputy Forlenza and Sheriff Idleburg attended the awards gala on Oct. 5 at the Beverly Hilton, according to the sheriff's office.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office announced in July that out of nearly 900,000 votes cast across the nation, K9 Dax won the distinction of being the nation's top Law Enforcement Hero Dog of the year. The top honor in the individual (Law Enforcement) category made Dax one of the seven finalists sent to walk the red carpet in LA.

A combination of America's voters and a panel of celebrity judges determined which dog was named the 2019 American Hero Dog (see below for spoilers). The Oct. 5 awards gala will be broadcast nationwide on Hallmark Channel at 8/7c, on Oct. 21.

More:

• Lake County's K9 Dax Named Top Hero Dog
  
• K9 Dax Named Finalist for Hero Dog National Title
• Lake Co. Sheriff's K9 Finds Missing Man After 'Top Dog' Award Win
• K9 Officer Tracks Down Endangered Man
• Lake Co. Bomb-Sniffing Dog Wins Top National Awards

In August, K9 Dax earned the Tracking Exceptional Certification during the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 19 Patrol Dog Trial in Sterling Heights, Michigan. According to the sheriff's office, K9 Dax is the first dog in 12 years to earn the title in Region 19.

Dax and Deputy also brought home several regional titles following the certification/competition course.