By Josh Shannon jshannon@chespub.com

This year’s Battle of the Bars fundraiser raised a record $14,400 for the Newark Police Department K-9 unit, almost double last year’s total.

The event, held Friday evening at the University of Delaware’s Courtyard Marriott hotel, featured eight downtown bars facing off in a friendly competition to see which one could raise the most money for charity. All tips and drink sales benefited the K-9 fund, which is entirely funded by public support.

For the third year in a row, Taverna raised the most money ($3,666) and took home the Paco Cup, a trophy named after NPD’s first K-9, who died in 2012.

The event also included music by James and Matt Acoustic and a dunk tank featuring Mayor Polly Sierer, NPD Deputy Chief Kevin Feeney and several other notable Newarkers.