SWAT takes hits for Humane Society

People were given a rare opportunity Saturday to fire paintball guns at the expertly trained Santa Maria Police Department SWAT team in an effort to raise money for the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society.

The tournament, which involved 20 teams of five players each, was part of a larger fund-raiser at the Santa Maria Fairpark to help afford a new building for the nonprofit organization. Teams came from all over the area to participate.

Two masked paintball-team memebers prepare to battle their opponents at Saturday's fund-raiser for the Humane Society at the Santa Maria Fairpark. //Ed Souza/Staff

"We played in the tournament to have some fun and raise money for the animals," said Derek Hess of Pismo Beach.

Each team paid $200 to participate, and the winning team, Savage Nation of Santa Ynez, was awarded a $1,000 prize. While the teams were required to bring their own equipment, most bought paint on site, which helped bring in more money for the cause.

"We decided to do something outside the box, because there's no regulated place to play paintball in this city," said Santa Maria Police Chief Danny Macagni.

The Humane Society is raising money to relocate to a new and larger facility on West Stowell Road by next April. Initial estimates put the cost at $2 million for the new building.

"It's absolutely crucial to raise money through fund-raising for this to happen," said Lori Macagni, fund-raising chair. "We need the community to help us raise money."

The Humane Society partnered with the Santa Maria Police Department to host a number of activities, including cow-chip bingo, a bounce house and a celebrity dunk tank. Lori Macagni estimated that Saturday's event would bring in between $5,000 and $8,000.

"Today really worked out well," she said. "My whole family is really involved with animals, so this is very important to us."

A second $1,000 prize was awarded to the winner of cow-chip bingo. Boxes on the grass grid sold for $20, and who ever owned the square "chosen" by the cow won the prize money.

Gary Hanes of Santa Maria took home the large prize.

Another big attraction was a presentation by the Guadalupe Police Department's canine unit. A man in a thick body suit pretended to be a criminal disobeying orders, and a dog handler released German shepherds to attack him.

"I thought this presentation was excellent," said Linda Jackson, a Humane Society volunteer. "They had the dogs completely in control, and seeing how they handle their dogs shows that the police try to do everything they can to avoid using excessive force."

The Humane Society is continuing to hold fund-raising events throughout the year and is applying for federal and state grants to offset the cost of the new building, Lori Macagni said.