State Police canines receive safety vests
Eight dogs from the Maine State Police canine team have received new protective vests thanks to donations from a Massachusetts charity and a national chain of pet supply stores. The vests, which are bullet- and stab-proof, will help protect the dogs as they work with their trooper partners around Maine. The vests cost $950 each.
State Police canine teams from Aroostook to York counties were recently presented with the safety apparatus. Sgt. Chad Fuller and Gleni, from Troop F in Houlton, were among the recipients.
The vests were donated thanks to efforts from Vested Interest in K9s Inc, a charity from East Taunton, Mass., which has provided vests to over 400 police dogs around the country. The Petco Foundation is a major contributor to the charity, with money raised from fund-raising events at the company’s 1,200 stores. Another contributor to the effort was a former New York police officer, now living in Sorrento. Madeleine Hamersley, 83, donated funding to equip a number of dogs around the country, including Winger (handled by Trooper Chris Smith, who patrols Washington and Hancock counties), who patrols near her home.
State Police Sgt. Blaine Bronson, who runs the department’s canine training program, said all of the State Police’s 18 patrol dogs are equipped with protective vests. Bronson said the new vests have gone to patrol dogs recently trained, or veteran dogs whose previous vests have worn out. The troopers and their dogs annually respond to about 1,200 calls.
