RCMP launches 2017 puppy naming contest for future police dogs

You know spring is coming when the RCMP has sendsout its annual invitation for children to help name the latest litter of German shepherd puppies the Mounties willtrainas police dogs.

It's expected 13 pups will be born this year at the RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail, Alta.

"The winning names will be original and imaginative and will serve the puppies well during their careers as police dogs," RCMP said in a release.

The rules of the contest are:

• Puppy names must begin with the letter "K" and have no more than two syllables and nine letters.
• Contestants must live in Canada and be14years old or younger.
• Only one entry per child will be considered.

The deadline to enteris April 11.

Entries should include:the child's name, age,address, a telephone number and the suggested puppy name.

Contestants canenter onlineor send a letterto:

Attn: "Name the Puppy 2017 Contest"

Police Dog Service Training Centre

Box 6120

Innisfail, AB, T4G 1S8

The 13 children whose puppy names are chosen will be sent a laminated810 photo of the dog they named, a plush dog called Justice and an official RCMP baseball cap.

Contest winners will be announced on May11.There will be one winner from each province and territory.

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