McGruff the Crime Dog is an anthropomorphic cartoon bloohound 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".