The announcement was made at the Police Athletic League (PAL) camp where 9-year-old Makenna Presley, a 4th grader at Lawton Elementary School in Oviedo, was recognized for submitting the winning name.
Amber was suggested because of the dog’s color and she will be used in AMBER Alerts.
“Amber will serve Seminole County as well as assist neighboring counties,” said Sheriff Donald Eslinger. “Her tracking abilities will ultimately help save lives, and we’re honored to have the community so involved in choosing the name for this special canine.”
The winning name for the puppy was selected by a community vote through the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page after more than 950 people voted for their favorite of three finalists: Amber, Ellie and Rosie. The finalist names for the puppy were selected from 78 submissions from the children at PAL camp. With 514 votes, Amber took the top score, followed by Ellie (a play on the words “L.E.” for law enforcement) with 345 votes, and Rosie (for “Nosey Rosie”) with 108 votes.
Eight-year old Aidan McConnell of Keeth Elementary and Madison Jordan, 9, of Wicklow Elementary both submitted the name Ellie. Brooke Andrew, aged 9, of Enterprise Elementary, submitted Rosie. The children received a trophy, tickets to Sea World and the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and a one-week scholarship to PAL camp.
Presley also received an annual family pass to the Central Florida Zoo and her class will get a pizza party and visit from the puppy when school begins this fall.
The Sheriff’s Office plans to update Amber’s AKC paperwork with her new name, and “Amber” will become the dog’s official radio call sign. Amber, who turned four months old yesterday, will eventually replace SCSO’s 5-year-old bloodhound, Billee, and will be used to track scent trails of missing children, seniors with Alzheimer’s, and criminal suspects.
The community can meet Amber in person Saturday, July 14 at the Central Florida School Expo at the Seminole Towne Center Mall. She will be at the Sheriff’s Office booth between noon and 2 p.m.