The spotlight went to the dogs in New Brunswick Friday as law enforcement honored three canine partners for their work in saving children.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office honored its canine partners and their handlers Friday.
The canine friends, Aggie, who died in May at 6 years old, Joker, and Aleck, are very special animals -- search and rescue bloodhounds who have been used to successfully trace numerous missing children and adults, according to Prosecutor Andrew Carey.
The ceremony also honored the dogs' owners and trainers, Michael and Debbie Campbell of South Plainfield, who began training the bloodhounds years ago, after Michael Campbell, a volunteer firefighter, wanted to do more to help find missing children and adults, according to Capt. Chris Penna, of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Carey said the relationship between his office and the Campbells began about three years ago and called it "very successful."
Penna said the dogs, "have saved countless manpower hours and human life."
The Campbells began offering the services of their bloodhounds when Michael Campbell became a member of the Middlesex County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team under the direction of Michael Gallagher, the county fire marshal.
Gallagher said the Campbells are paid per diem by the county which also pays for some of the equipment used by the dogs, but "it doesn't pay nearly enough for the service they provide."
Debbie Campbell, speaking on behalf of her family, thanked everyone for honoring Aggie, who received a beautiful plaque with her picture and badge on it, as well as Joker and Aleck.
"Thank you for supporting us and backing us," she said. "But it is all about bringing people home. That's what is important."
Carey said the dogs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to police and fire departments throughout the county.
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.