Recognizing the heroic actions of K9 Officer Mitchell and all our state’s service dogs and horses, Senator Cathy Young (R,C,I- 57th District) has announced bipartisan support for “Mitchell’s Law,” making it a felony to injure a K-9 officer in the line of duty.

Mitchell is a six-year-old German Shepherd that has been a member of the department since 2011. He was injured during a confrontation with a suspected murderer following a six-hour standoff in November 2016.

On November 10, 2016, Keith Robbins allegedly shot his estranged wife, Sheri Robbins, in the parking lot of the New Creation Assembly of God Church in Jamestown. The incident sparked a citywide manhunt that culminated in a six-hour standoff when Robbins barricaded himself in a home where his father resided. During the apprehension, Mitchell was stabbed in the throat and under his jaw, causing the knife to penetrate his tongue, sustaining life-threatening injuries that required emergency surgery.

Following the attack, Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings and Mitchell’s handler, officer Eric Kraft visited Senator Young along with Mitchell to request the law dictating the penalty for perpetrators who injure a K-9 officer in the line of duty be strengthened. Existing law dictates that a suspect can only be charged with a Class E felony for an attack that intentionally kills a police work dog or police work horse. So, despite the severity of Mitchell’s wounds, Robbins could only be charged with a class A misdemeanor, because the stabbing did not result in the animal’s death.

Mitchell’s Law has gained wide support from law enforcement and animal advocacy groups and is expected to see similar support in the state legislature.

Less than a month after being injured, K-9 Officer Mitchell made a full recovery and was back at work with his handler.

The annual Downtown Jamestown Holiday Parade attracts thousands of people each year. (Photo courtesy of jrconline.org)

JAMESTOWN – The annual downtown Jamestown Holiday Parade is set to take place tonight on Third Street.

Jamestown Up Close and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is inviting the entire community to the “Gift Exchange Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration,” presented by The Resource Center.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will feature more than 90 units participating, along with a tree-lighting ceremony, live music, and a dazzling holiday fireworks display sponsored by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

The grand marshal for this year’s parade is Jamestown Police Department’s K-9 Officer Mitchell and his handler, officer Eric Kraft.

If you are unable to make it downtown, Time Warner Cable will be filming LIVE on the news station and re-airing the program later in the evening.

The parade will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes in addition to the pre-parade entertainment at Tracy Plaza.

This holiday parade is sponsored by Jamestown Renaissance Corproation, Jamestown Up Close, City of Jamestown, The Resource Center, Shults Auto Group, and Elite Kreation$ Auto Detailing.

Parade lineup will start promptly at 5 pm. The following streets and intersecting side streets will be for the event to operate from 3 pm to 9 pm:

• Third Street between Hallock Street and Foote Avenue
• Porter Avenue between Third Street and Front Street
• Spring Street between Second Street and Third Street
• Front Street between Hall Avenue and Sprague Street

All parade entrants must enter the lineup at the intersection of Third Street at Hallock Street. No entries may enter traveling west. All participants with motor vehicles or trucks should have their driver remain with the vehicle at all times.

For more information on the Parade, visit jamestownrenaissance.org or call 664-2477 ext 226.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Up Close are announcing that Jamestown Police Department’s K9 Officer Mitchell has been named the grand marshal of this year’s holiday parade, set to take place in downtown Jamestown on Third Street on Friday night, Dec. 2.

K9 Mitchell received a stab wound earlier this month after helping to bring a homicide suspect into custody. He is expected to fully recover from the injury.

Now Mitchell, along with his handler Officer Eric Kraft, will be honored for helping keep the community safe. Their transportation in the parade is sponsored by Elite Kreation$ Auto Detailing.

The Gift Exchange Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration, presented by The Resource Center, is scheduled for Friday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Jamestown.