Police K9 Competition In Hillsboro This Weekend

HILLSBORO, OR — If you've ever wanted to see a police K9 in action, but hoped to avoid the criminal behavior that might merit such attention, you're in luck. The 13th annual Washington County K9 Trails will be held this weekend in Hillsboro.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 30, K9 handlers from six Oregon-based law enforcement agencies will let their dogs loose to compete at Hare Field, 1151 N.E. Grant St., and show which K9 is best.

"The Washington County Sheriff's Office is extremely excited to host the K9 trials again," WCSO spokesman Jeff Talbot told Patch on Tuesday. "Oftentimes, the public doesn't get to see the incredible work our very talented K9s do to protect the community and keep criminals off the street."

K9 representatives and their handlers will come from police departments in Hillsboro, Tigard, Beaverton, and Springfield and both the Washington and Clackamas county sheriff's offices.

"Our dedicated K9 handlers work hard to keep their communities safe for everyone, and this is just another opportunity to show the Washington County community a side of law enforcement they may not otherwise get to see," Talbot said. "And let's be honest, who doesn't want to see adorable dogs jumping through hoops?"

Food and beverage vendors will be available at the free event, which is open to attendants of all ages. And while the whole family is invited to see an impressive assortment of police dogs, the sheriff's office does advise prospective attendees to leave their own pets at home.

Top image: K9 Radar and WCSO Sgt. Eamon O'Reilly at the 2016 K9 Trials - via Travis Loose, Patch