The competition will be “ruff” this fall when the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) hosts the 43rd Annual United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Field Trials Sept.30-Oct.4 at various locations in Charles County. The CCSO is hosting the field trials together with USPCA Region 3. All events are free and open to the public.

The field trials will bring to Charles County about 120 of the best K9 teams in North America, each of whom is USPCA-certified and has already qualified regionally for the national competition. Events include obedience, agility, criminal apprehension, suspect search and evidence recovery. Additionally, a public demonstration will be held Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. at North Point High School to showcase the skills of the talented K9 teams.

“We are looking forward to hosting this year’s K9 field trials and to competing against these extremely talented teams,” said Sheriff Rex Coffey. “All of the events are open to the public but for those folks who can only make it to one of them, I strongly encourage them to join us at North Point for the final demonstration. It’s going to be an exciting, action-packed demonstration that will showcase the impressive skills of the handlers and the dogs. I am not involved in coordinating the show but I hear it involves a helicopter, so I’m really looking forward it myself.”

K9 teams from throughout the U.S. and Canada will travel to Charles County for the competition. When the teams are not competing, the CCSO plans to show them and their families a Southern Maryland-style experience complete with a crab feast at Port Tobacco Marina and a tour of Washington, D.C.

The event is funded in part by the USPCA and in part by community donations. Numerous local businesses have already donated. Anyone interested in making a contribution should contact the CCSO at info@ccso.us. More information, including a schedule of events, will be available at www.ccso.us, www.uspcak9.com, and the CCSO’s Facebook page.

Media Contact
Kristen Timko
301-609-6538
timkok@ccso.us