Police Dogs' Safety Turns Into Pet Project

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

By Cloe Cabrera - The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - The telephone lines lit up at the Polk County Sheriff's Office as word spread that a deputy and his police dog had been killed. They haven't stopped since.

The calls come from businesses, residents, charities and anonymous donors offering cash, new dogs, protective gear for dogs, and fundraising events. They haven't stopped long enough to be counted or quantified.

"The gestures are just overwhelming," sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said. "It shows that with something as shocking as we've experienced, that our community relies on one another to get through it and how important it is to keep the relationships alive."

On Sept. 28, sheriff's Deputy Matt Williams and his K-9 partner, DiOGi, were shot to death as they chased a suspect into a wooded area in northwest Lakeland. The suspect, Angilo Freeland, was killed after a massive manhunt.

Among the residents inspired to offer support was Cheresee Rehart., owner of Yard Guard on Doody professional pooper scooper service. Rehart launched a campaign to raise money for K-9 bulletproof vests in honor of DiOGi.

"It just hit so close to home," said the Tampa woman, who has a 14-year-old German shepherd. "It may not save DiOGi, but we're going to do what we can to help."

Each of Polk's 16 police dogs has a vest, which is worn when deputies know they're heading into a dangerous situation with their dogs, Wood said. The department has an additional five dogs that serve other purposes and may benefit from a vest.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's 18 police dogs share four vests, but handlers who request one for their partners will receive one, spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

The vests are made of Kevlar and are tailored to the size of the dog. Each weighs four to six pounds and can protect a dog in a shooting or stabbing. They retail for about $750.

Armored canine units must use extra caution. The vests are hot, and a dog could overheat easily if it wears one for a long time in the heat.

George Sichler, co-founder of The Police K9 Foundation, said police dogs are a precious commodity and deserve extra protection. His nonprofit group has provided 17 vests to law enforcement agencies across the country, and they have joined with Yard Guard to raise money for more.

Sichler said he doesn't know how many police dogs have been saved by a vest, and there have been no studies to document their effectiveness. About 350 police dogs have been killed in the line of duty.

"These are more than just dogs; they are devoted partners, and they are part of their [the handlers'] family," Sichler said. "These are highly trained animals. They are the first ones to get shot at, kicked, stabbed. And they need protection."

HOW TO HELP
Donations for bulletproof vests for dogs in the Polk and Hillsborough sheriff's offices can be made to:

Bank of America K9 DiOGi Bullet Proof Vest Fund c/o Yard Guards on Doody LLC; Account No. 229000792526.

For information, call (813) 657-9797 or the Polk County Sheriff's Office at (863) 533-0344.