Dog shot in face inspires Detroit restaurants to sell specialty hot dogs for charity

Restaurants across Detroit are looking to raise money for a pet welfare group by adding signature hot dogs to their menu.

"Hot Dogs for Dogs" week will benefit Detroit Dog Rescue, a group that's aiming to build a "no-kill animal center" in the city.

Hot dogs sales at more than 24 restaurants  and bars between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2 will go toward Detroit Dog Rescue.

James Rigato, executive chef at Mabel Gray, a popular restaurant just outside of Detroit in Hazel Park, organized the fundraiser after seeing a photo of Detroit Dog Rescue Director Kristina Millman-Rinaldi holding a dog that was shot in the face.

"If she can spend her evening providing comfort to a dog while a team of eight veterinarian professionals do everything in their power to save that precious dog's life, I can find a way to use my talents to help too," Rigato said in a news release. "We can't bring Jack back, but we can raise money to help rehabilitate the other animals Detroit Dog Rescue cares for."

Some of the specialty hot dogs included in the fundraiser:

  • Chorizo Dog with grilled pineapple, queso, verde, cilantro and jalapeno at Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails
  • Ciociaro Dog with southern Italian ragu and pecorino fondue at Supino Pizzeria
  • Vegan Falafel Dog with lettuce tomato, pickled vegetables, tahini sauce on a house bun at The Root Restaurant & Bar
  • Takoi Dog with a house-made foot long hot dog, mustard aioli, roasted shallots, pickled chilies, cucumber and cilantro at Takoi
  • Cubano Dog with a ham hot dog, pork shoulder, Swiss cheese, honey  mustard, pickle and potato chips at Grey Ghost
  • The Hazel Bark with house sauerkraut, kimchi, garlic pickles, hot pepper jelly and caraway mustard at Mabel Gray.

Restaurants interested in participating can contact Rigato at 248-398-4300.

Participating restaurants include: Mabel Gray, Grey Ghost, Livernois Tap, Supino Pizzeria, Takoi, Imperial, Gather, Townhouse, The Root Restaurant & Bar, Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails, O. W. L., Wright & Co., Bobcat Bonnie's, Standby, The Apparatus Room, Browndog Treats, Eats & Drinks, Cuisine, Downtown Loui's Lounge, The Morrie, Bistro 82, Parks & Rec, Selden Standard and Voyager.

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