This year’s Fourth of July festivities in Fayette County will feature several dog-friendly events to benefit the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department’s K-9 unit.

The department has five K-9s, and deputies say they are fundamental in narcotics detection, human tracking and apprehension and explosives detection.

One of the largest in the area, the Fayette K-9 unit boasts three Belgian Malinois, a bloodhound and black Labrador retriever.

Sgt. M.A. Fridley, who heads up the unit, is the handler of a 7-year-old Belgian named Niko, a multi-purpose working dog who is certified in narcotics detection and in tracking and apprehension.

The department also commands two other Belgians. Riko, handled by Deputy T.N. Mooney, is a dual-purpose working dog certified in explosives detection and tracking. Herk, handled by Deputy S.R. Morris, is also dual purpose, trained in narcotics detection, tracking and apprehension.

Less than a month ago, Herk was used in a standoff at a Fayette County Kmart where a man allegedly entered the store wearing a ski mask and refused to leave.

Herk successfully apprehended the subject after the man failed to follow police commands to exit with his hands up, authorities said.

The department also utilizes the Labrador Boss, who is handled by Cpl. S.M. Gray. Boss is trained as dual purpose in narcotics and tracking.

The fifth member of the squad is Wilbur, one of only five bloodhounds used by West Virginia law enforcement officials. Wilbur is a 3-year-old trained exclusively in human tracking. He is handled by Deputy W.K. Willis.

Fridley says police dogs are indispensable to law enforcement since one K-9 can typically do the work of five or six officers.

The sheriff office’s K-9 unit is utilized by surrounding counties as well.

The services of all five K-9s are available to all regional law enforcement agencies.

To keep the K-9 unit running, the deputies rely almost solely on donations from the public.

The money is used toward the feeding of the dogs, training, medical expense and handling equipment.

The officers, as well as their respective K-9 partners, require constant training and annual certification through various accredited schools.

The public will be given an opportunity to meet all five members of the Fayette K-9 unit July 4 at Fayetteville Town Park.

At 4 p.m., the dogs will be doing K-9 demonstrations (i.e. apprehension work with the bite suit) prior to the start of the Dachshund Derby at 4:15 p.m. Both activities take place on the Field of Dreams in Fayetteville Town Park.

Other events are planned earlier in the week.

On July 3, there will be a parade from 5 to 7 p.m. in downtown Fayetteville as part of the New River Gorge Heritage Festival.

There will be an All-Breed Dog Parade entry, featuring dachshunds; all dog breeds are invited to participate in the parade.

Prizes will be awarded for three places in the Dog/Human Look-Alike Contest, and there will be additional prizes awarded for the Most Patriotic Dog.

At the Dachshund Derby, deputies will be doing child fingerprint cards and DNA swabs on children for parental records.

Pre-registration for each racer is $10. Registration fee on the day of the race is $15. Race day registration will begin at 2 p.m.

The race is limited to 100 dachshunds.

Hylton Law Office PLLC and New River Concealed Carry, owned by K-9 handler Kevin Willis, are sponsoring the festivities.

To obtain a registration packet for the race and/or parade, or for more information, contact Hylton Law Office at 304-574-0880.

You may also obtain a registration packet at Hylton Law Office at 237 N. Court St. in Fayetteville between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

If you’d like to make a donation to the Fayette County Sheriff’s K-9 unit, send a check made out to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Fund, P.O. Box 509, Fayetteville, WV 25840.

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com