COVINGTON, Ky. – The City of Covington is celebrating the opening of the new K-9 Ernie Memorial Dog Park at Hands Pike Park in South Covington recognizing the beloved police K-9 whose legacy of service and courage lives on in the community. 

The new dog park, a project led by the City’s Public Works Department and Parks and Recreation Division, provides dedicated spaces for both small and large dogs. The park includes water fountains and benches, creating a new recreational amenity for Covington residents and their four-legged companions. 

Funding for construction of the dog park was made a priority by the City’s Board of Commissioners during the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget process. 

The park is named in honor of Covington Police K-9 Ernie, a decorated German Shepherd who served alongside Specialist Michael V. Lusardi and became known throughout the region for his bravery and dedication to protecting the community. 

During his years of service, Ernie and Lusardi apprehended dozens of dangerous criminals, helped locate lost children, and seized hundreds of pounds of narcotics. 

Ernie also survived multiple line-of-duty injuries. In 2015, he was shot twice while attempting to apprehend a suspect. Following the shooting, Lusardi and Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders worked to strengthen Kentucky law so that assaulting a police K-9 would be a felony regardless of whether the animal survived. 

That effort led to the passage of “Ernie’s Law,” which was signed into law in 2017. 

Ernie became the first victim protected by the law the following year. In 2018, he was in a police cruiser when it was struck by a suspected drunken driver. Ernie survived the crash and made a full recovery. 

After a distinguished career protecting the Covington community, Ernie officially retired in October 2020. He died from cancer a few months later in January 2021. 

“Ernie’s story is one of courage and resilience,” Commissioner Timothy Downing said. “It’s fitting that a place where Covington families can gather with their dogs will carry his name. This park gives our community a new recreational space while honoring a K-9 who gave so much to protect it.” 

The K-9 Ernie Memorial Dog Park is the latest investment in Covington’s parks system and reflects the City’s continued efforts to create welcoming recreational spaces for residents. 

“Public spaces like this are important to the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” Parks and Recreation Manager Greg Stacy said. “We’re excited to open a space where residents and their dogs can enjoy Hands Pike Park together.” 

The City invites residents and their dogs to visit the new K-9 Ernie Memorial Dog Park at Hands Pike Park and enjoy the new amenities.