Non-profit raising funds to buy bulletproof protective vests for ...

Tag : vests

NEW BEDFORD — Some extra protection might soon be availablefor Xtra, the city Police Department's hard-workingexplosives-sniffing dog.
The 2-year-old black Labrador retriever is sixth on the list toreceive a protective vest from Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog Inc., anonprofit organization that raises money to buy bulletproof vestsfor police dogs.
The organization has already outfitted the city's three otherpolice dogs, and recently provided its 200th protective vest to apolice dog in Massachusetts.
Kathy Hinds, president of Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog, said there areabout 20 police dogs remaining throughout the state that still needvests, which cost $725 apiece.
"It goes back to our motto, 'Help protect the dogs who help protectyou,'" Ms. Hinds said. "They're out there and they're at risk, andthey don't really know they're at risk.
"Everyday that goes by that a dog is on the street without a vest,we feel it's an unnecessary risk," she said.
To raise funds, the nonprofit is selling a 2009 calendar featuringvarious color photos of police dogs and their handlers. Hunter, aGerman shepherd handled by New Bedford Police K-9 Officer JosephKrisnosky, was featured in the 2003 calendar, Ms. Hinds said.
"We're fortunate to have these dogs and their handlers going towardthe danger where other people will go the other way," she said."They keep us safe."
New Bedford police Sgt. Jill Simmons, who supervises the city's K-9officers, said the vests are vital.
"It is absolutely important to make sure a dog is as vested as anofficer," Sgt. Simmons said. "Buying and training the dogs is ahuge investment, and we want to protect that investment."
The fundraising calendars can be purchased through the nonprofit'sWeb site at mavestadog.org. Donations can also be sent directly toMassachusetts Vest-A-Dog Inc. at P.O. Box 512, Centerville, MA,02632.
For more information, contact Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog Inc. at(508) 824-6978.
Contact Brian Fraga at bfraga@s-t.com