MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. - Bikers rode more than 45 miles through Muskegon County Saturday to honor the 30 dogs killed in a Fruitport Township kennel fire in March.
Rick Flater lives around the corner from Storm's Ahead Kennels. He organized the "All Dogs Go to Heaven," motorcycle run after seeing photos and hearing stories from some of the families that lost their pets.
"I [saw] the picture of the police cruiser with a golden doodle in the back seat, and that's an identical, spitting image of my dog," Flater said. "So it kind of struck me to do something."
The five-stop ride started at 46 Bar in Muskegon, running through the Moorland Tavern in Ravenna, Effin' Bar and Grill in Twin Lake, the Full Moon Diner & Saloon in Dalton Township, Pat's Roadhouse and the Watermark Center in Muskegon. More than 50 bikers participated.
A portion of the money raised through registration and the 50-50 raffle will go towards upgrades at the PetSafe Bark Park in Muskegon, Flater said.
This fire hits a soft spot for dog owners, said said Tony "Peacemaker" Bennett, who rides everywhere with his dog
"Dogs are more than just a pet, they're your family," Bennett said. "They're probably the closest thing to your heart."
A monument for the 30 dogs will also be donated and possibly placed in the Bark Park, Flater said.
"All 30 names of the dogs lost in the fire are going to be on the monument," he said. "And it gives all those pet owners who lost their pets a place to go memorialize their dogs."
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