Brick Police Accept Girls' $2,700 Donation To K9s

BRICK, NJ — A pair of Brick Township girls presented the Brick Township Police Department with a check for $2,720, funds the two raised at their second annual Kids for K9s fundraiser.

Maya Jackson and Colleen Crate, both 12, presented the check to Police Chief James Riccio at the township council meeting on Tuesday.

The girls started their effort last year, working to raise money for overdose treatment kits for the township's K9 unit to treat the dogs if they accidentally encounter opioids, fentanyl in particular.

The potency of fentanyl makes it a danger to humans and animals, and the dogs are at risk not only of inhaling it but also of absorbing it through the pads on their paws, the girls have said.

The overdose prevention kits for K9s cost about $75 apiece.

Their efforts have raised more than $5,000 so far.

Riccio was joined by four of the department's five K9 units for the presentation. The unit is overseen by Sgt. Paul Catalina, whose K9 partner is Duke. The other four teams are Patrolman Keith Prendeville and Max; Patrolman Daniel Fogarty and Rigby; Patrolman John Turrin and Vader, and Patrolman Scott Smith and Echo.

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