Vest can help save canine crime-fighter

My dog-training career started as a military policeman in the U.S. Marine Corps. While serving as the non-commission-officer-in-charge of training, MCRD, Parris Island, S.C., it was my responsibility to ensure that all the military policemen assigned to that command were properly trained in police work. Although these policemen were all good Marines, there are three four-legged marines that I will never forget. Their names were Fat Cat, Smokey and Dusty. These were the military working dogs assigned to protect and serve their military community. On more than one occasion, these dogs were sent into situations that were too dangerous for their human counterparts. Whether searching buildings for a felon or checking automobiles for explosives, these magnificent animals never stopped to question their orders or to ask why. I will be forever grateful for the duty performed by these military working dogs.
The armed forces are not the only place you will find dogs on patrol. Dogs play an important part in civilian law enforcement. Russ Hess is the executive director of the U.S. Police Canine Association, a nonprofit organization striving to establish minimum training standards for police dogs. According to Hess, properly trained police dogs are taught to search buildings and areas for unauthorized people, track criminals and search for lost children. These dogs also search for evidence dropped by criminals in flight, for hidden explosives, narcotics and chemicals used to manufacture drugs. Police dogs are expected to pursue and apprehend, with minimum force, criminals fleeing a serious crime and arrest. These dogs apprehend only on command and to protect their human partners. Hess said, "Police dogs, properly trained and handled, give law enforcement officers one of the finest non-lethal aids in the prevention and detection of crime."
But this service is not without its inherent dangers. In the past 20 years, it has been estimated that more than 50 dogs have paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their own lives for the community they serve. Many of these valiant canine crime-fighters could have been saved if they had been equipped with a protective vest.
One California girl, Stephanie Taylor, decided that she could make a difference by ensuring the safety of police dogs that served her community. After reading a story about a New Jersey police dog that was killed in the line of duty, Stephanie raised money by distributing donation boxes to veterinary offices and pet supply stores in the San Diego area. This was the beginning of "Vest-A-Dog." The Vest-A-Dog Foundation has now expanded nationwide, and through the help of other community fund-raisers and direct donations, the foundation has managed to vest more than 100 dogs since the start of the program in June 1999.
Petco and The Dog Man Training Company of Wichita Falls have decided to do their part to ensure the safety of our local police dog, Harry. Through donations by these two companies, Harry and his partner, Sgt. Joe Snyder, are the newest recipients of a Level II police dog vest from Vest-A-Dog.
"Petco is grateful to those officers and their canine partners who help keep our streets safe," said Terry Price, Petco store manager. Price added that if any canine officer ever needs assistance, Petco will always be there to lend a hand. The bullet- and stab proof vest for Harry will be presented to the Wichita Falls Police Department at the next City Council meeting Tuesday.
If you are interested in how you can help protect a police dog from harm, check out the Vest-A-Dog web page at www.dogvest.com, or you can call the Vest-A-Dog Foundation at (760) 598-7991. You can make a difference in the lives of the brave dogs that help to make our streets safe.
Eamon P. Riley is a professional dog trainer and animal behavioral consultant. For suggestions or comments, he can be emailed at dogmanusmc@aol.com or by calling 689-9483.