Everything about Mcgruff The Crime Dog totally explained
McGruff the Crime Dog is an anthropomorphic
cartoon bloodhound created for the
National Crime Prevention Council for use by
American police in building
crime awareness among children. He debuted in July
1980. The character was created by Sherry Nemmers. The motto "Take a Bite out of Crime" was invented by John M. Keil (born in
Rochester,
New York), who also did McGruff's voice for many years. After two years on the air, a nationwide
contest was opened to name the character. The most common entry was "Sherlock Bones". Other entries included "J. Edgar Dog", "Sarg-dog", and "Keystone Kop Dog". The winner, McGruff the Crime Dog, was submitted by a
New Orleans police officer. In some of McGruff's advertisements, he appears with his nephew "Scruff McGruff".
McGruff reaches kids through
commercials,
songs and
booklets from the
National Crime Prevention Council, talking about
drugs,
bullying,
safety and the importance of staying in
school. Recently, McGruff has appeared in commercials addressing
identity theft. The character is often used with his
motto "Take a bite out of crime!" He also reaches kids through personal appearances as both puppets (often used in classrooms) and costumes worn by police officers nationwide.
In 2005, a new identity theft warning campaign was launched in honor of his 25th birthday.
It was announced that when Keil retires, he'll be succeeded by Sgt. Steve Parker, a sheriff's deputy from Burlington, Iowa. As of mid-2006, this changeover hasn't been announced officially; Parker does fill in for Keil on occasion presently.
Steve Parker was in Utah in early February 2008 recording songs sung by McGruff for Robotronics Inc., the exclusive maker of McGruff costumes, robots and puppets.
McGruff Houses and Trucks
A
McGruff House is a designated house bearing a McGruff logo indicating that it's a safe refuge for children who feel they're in danger. The first McGruff House was opened in
Utah in 1982, and there are presently about 700 McGruff House programs throughout the United States. The program is similar to one in the
1970s in which a picture of a red hand was placed in the window of neighborhood houses that provided refuge.
Similarly, there's a program whereby
public utility and
government work trucks can display a decal identifying the occupant as someone who can be approached if a child feels that they're in danger, or lost, or otherwise distraught.
References in popular culture
Sportscaster
Chris Berman, in a play on McGruff's name, gave
baseball star
Fred McGriff the nickname "Crime Dog." Berman is noted for his idiosyncratic player nicknames; however, his nickname for McGriff has entered into mainstream usage.
He is parodied in the
Simpsons episode "
The Springfield Connection" when
Lisa suggests
Marge attack the roots of social problems. Marge, not understanding, quickly changes the subject by showing Lisa a "McGriff the Crime Dog" puppet. (In the DVD commentary, it's stated that the name was changed because McGruff's creators denied the show permission to use the name.)
Dexter's Laboratory season 2 episode "G.I.R.L. Squad" features "McBark the Crime Hound" as a parody of McGruff. His "lick crime" slogan is a spoof of "take a bite out of crime."
Family Guy features a parody during the episode "
The Thin White Line", when
Brian talks to school children as "McGriffin, the Drug Dog". He was also mentioned on their cd, as being a murderer of prostitutes.
"
Take A Bite Outta Rhyme", a collaboration of several different rock groups (including
Insane Clown Posse,
Mindless Self Indulgence,
Dynamite Hack &
Bloodhound Gang) doing remixes of popular
hiphop/
rap songs of the 1980s & 1990s, is a play on the slogan.
"Godzilla took a bite out of Optimus Prime, Like Scruff McGruff took a bite out of crime" is a lyric in the "
Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny"
"VGCats" webisode #190 "Da Bomb".
McGruff is the nickname of Cleveland City Councilman
Michael D. Polensek. He has a history of being tough on crime, hence the nickname.
The Melvins and former
Dead Kennedys lead singer Jello Biafra made a song entitled "McGruff The Crime Dog"
on their collaboration cd "
Never Breathe What You Can't See"
The song brings up the topic of government surveillance in a humorous fashion, using McGruff as the mascot of
the concept of a
police state.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Mcgruff The Crime Dog'.
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