ENID — And they’re off!

With paws flying, 48 dachshunds will be dashing Oct. 9 at Chisholm Trail Expo Center in Paws 4 the Cause Dachshund Dash, a just-for-fun dachshund race sponsored by Security National Bank, Eagle Marketing and the Expo Center to help raise money for the purchase of a K-9 partner for Enid Police Department.

The dog athletes will race against one another in eight heats, with six dogs in each heat, on a 25-yard racing field inside the Expo Center.

“The owners can be at the end of the track encouraging them with any means necessary, a squeaky toy, favorite pillow, whatever it takes,” said April Danahy, Security National Bank vice president of corporate communications.

The dachshunds will have racing uniforms so people can identify their favorites to cheer on during the races.

Wagers will be available for $2 per dog, per race to win prizes. Anyone may wager on the racing dogs. If the dog you chose comes in first, a copy of the wager form can be taken to the prize table for a T-shirt or other goodies.

The dogs will be racing for trophies and bragging rights. Trophies will be awarded to each race winner and their owners, and one grand champion also will be honored.

The dogs do not have to registered dachshunds but they must look, act and run like dachshunds. They also must be current on their shots and cannot be aggressive.

“If they are aggressive they will be asked to leave,” Danahy said.

The event will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Expo Center. Entries are available at The Groom Closet, 2005 W. Chestnut, or at www.paws4thecause.com. The registration fee is $20. Registered dogs will be chosen by random drawing to participate in the dash, but limited spots are available.

Owners are asked to provide a photo and a biography, including how the dog will be training for the event, when they register their dogs.

Admission to the race is $2 for adults, $1 for children and $1 for non-racing dogs. Non-racing dogs must be on a leash, not aggressive, and owners must clean up after them.

There are sponsorship opportunities and booth spaces available for the event. Sponsorship packages range from $500 to $5,000.

Contact Danahy at SNB at 616-7740 or Frank Baker at Eagle Marketing at 548-8186.

“We hope this will grow into an annual even for Enid and northwest Oklahoma that will be able to help more causes,” Danahy said.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go to purchase a new K-9 partner for the EPD Criminal Interdiction Unit, following the retiring K-9 partner Rex.

The K-9 Unit consists of three dual-purpose police service dogs. They conduct inter-city and highway interdiction of vehicles and people responsible for transporting illegal narcotics or cash into Enid. They also assist with vehicle searches, building and open area searches, suspect and missing person’s tracks, as well as suspect apprehension.

Rex is retiring after more than eight years of services with EPD, said Capt. Dean Grassino.

“Dogs are used so much in police work, their work expectancy is seven or eight years. Rex is over that, he is at about eight and half years. It isn’t that he can’t do the job, but it is a safety issue,” Grassino said.

Following retirement, Rex will live with his handler, Officer Ryan Fuxa.

“He will live out his days with Ryan Fuxa and the only family he has known,” Grassino said. “After we officially retire him, we will relinquish all rights to Rex.”

The new dog being purchased by EPD will be one of three breeds: Dutch shepherd, German shepherd or Belgian malinois. These particular breeds are ideal for police duty because of their size, intelligence, agility and personality. Each dog is purchased when it is 18 to 24 months old.

“We won’t know about the dog until the handler goes with the vendor to pick. They try to match the dog that best suits the handler,” Grassino said.

The dog will be a dual-purpose dog, trained in both narcotics and patrol.

The cost for the dog and training is more than $13,000, and the dog will be purchased from Nightwinds International in Arizona.

“People question with it being that expensive if it is cost-effective. It is very cost-effective. If you look at Rex’s career, he has over $1 million in drugs and cash seized,” Grassino said. “There is also a safety aspect and it is also more effective in a lot of ways.”

Grassino gave the example that a K-9 could search a building in a shorter time than sending in several officers.

Since Rex began service with EPD, he has helped seized more than $21,000 in cash, 218 grams of meth, 74 grams of powder cocaine and 28 grams of crack cocaine. Rex also has assisted with more than 200 felony arrests and 275 misdemeanor arrests.

Donations have been made throughout the last few years to help purchase a dog, but funds have been depleted.

“The donation fund is depleted. We have also had to add unbudgeted funds. What this is doing for us is to help rebuild the fund so we are better prepared for the next purchase for which we are extremely grateful,” said EPD Chief Brian O’Rourke.

EPD plans to provide a K-9 demonstration at the beginning of the event and have a meet-and-greet with the department’s dogs and K-9 officers.