By PETE WALTON
The newest member of the Bradley Beach police force will star on national television next month.
Sting, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois, will appear April 14 on Nat Geo Wild’s new Dog Nation series.
Police Officer Andrew Redmond works with Sting in Bradley Beach. Sting makes sure the room is safe before municipal court sessions and assists in drug investigations as well as other situations where his particular talents come in handy.
Redmond and Sting will help ensure public safety at large events such as the Memorial Day Festival and Lobsterfest, which will take place on June 24 and 25.
“Our K9 program has been very successful,” Police Chief Leonard A. Guida said at this week’s Borough Council meeting. “Sting is our second active dog.”
Redmond’s wife Toni-Lynn has organized a fundraiser for the Throw Away Dogs Project, a nonprofit organization which rehabilitates and finds new homes for unwanted dogs who show a strong drive for working.
Sting came to Bradley Beach from the organization, which is based in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania.
“Currently there are three dogs in the training process at Throw Away Dogs and many more in need of rehabilitation,” Toni-Lynn said. “In the last two years, 15 dogs have been placed with first responders all over the United States. There are seven other dogs who found their forever home outside of emergency services.”
While Sting was training in Pennsylvania, the group was approached by producers of the new Nat Geo Wild show hosted by renowned “dog whisperer” Cesar Millan. Some scenes were shot in the Keystone State before Sting headed west to train with Millan in California.
Toni-Lynn said sometime between their first and second date her husband told her that he would like to be a K9 officer.
“Not knowing what that entailed, I went along with his passion which now has become our reality almost seven years later,” she said.
Sting is not the only connection between the Throw Away Dogs and the Jersey shore. Avon Police Officer David Barry serves as director of the nonprofit’s K9 Advisory Team. Barry is the K9 handler for the Avon police department.
The local fundraiser for the Throw Away Dogs Project will take place at the 709 Restaurant on Arnold Avenue in Point Pleasant April 14 while the Dog Nation episode featuring Sting has its first airing. Toni-Lynn Redmond has created an Internet fundraiser for those who cannot attend but want to help at: gofundme.com/throwawaydogs
