Kids, help name the 2016 RCMP puppies

PENTICTON – The RCMP are looking for the public’s help once again, only this time it’s not to catch bad guys.

The Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail, Alta., is asking Canadian youth to suggest names for 13 German Shepherd puppies set to be born at the centre this year.

Participants are encouraged to be original and creative when suggesting names, but it’s also important for children to understand these are working police dogs, not pets, when coming up with names. 

The 13 winning entries will each receive a laminated 8 x 10 inch photo of the pup they name, a plush dog named Justice and an RCMP cap.

Contest rules are as follows:

– Contestants can suggest only one name, one entry per person
– The name may be for a male or female pup
– The name must start with the letter “J”
– The name is limited to no more than nine letters
– The name must be one or two syllables
– Contestants must live in Canada and be 14 years of age or younger

Participants can enter online at the RCMP's "Name the Puppy" website or by letter mail to the address listed on the website.

Although there can be only 13 winners, names not selected for the contest will be considered for other puppies born during the year.

Deadline for entries is March 22, and winners will be announced on April 26, 2016.

Winning names will be chosen by training centre staff. In the event of multiple submissions of the same name, a draw will declare the winner.

One of the puppies from the 2015 contest, Hannie, currently calls Penticton home, and is living with Const. Brad Power while it waits to be sent to training next year.