On Greenfield Police Department Captain Jay Johnson’s first day with a new police dog, an accident was reported: A woman and a man got into an altercation in a local parking lot. The woman’s head was smashed into a car window, and the man fled the scene.
Johnson asked his fellow officers to accompany him on the case, but none were able. So Johnson went with just his canine by his side. The duo found the suspect a few hours later, and Johnson credits the dog with the successful search. “These dogs are with you day in and day out,” he says. “You’re counting on them to save your life.”
Although these dogs are vital in most police stations in Wisconsin, there is one problem: A lot of dogs do not have the protection they need from violent situations they are often a part of. “After working with all these officers and hearing their stories, I kept thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, we have got to get these dogs vested,’” says Dr. Marla Lichtenberger, owner of the Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals and its resident emergency and critical care specialist.
Lichtenberger opened MECA three years ago in Greenfield and began a foundation in April called MECA Wisconsin Police Canine Vest Foundation. The foundation aims to provide every police dog in Wisconsin with a bullet-proof and stab-proof vest that will help protect them in the line of defense. “Just like police officers wear vests, dogs should wear one, too,” Lichtenberger says.
Canine police dogs are used about 15-20 times a week. From drug busts to robberies, police dogs lead the way, going first into the line of defense. “Unfortunately we don’t have a lot of injured police dogs that come in,” Lichtenberger says. “We just hear about them being shot and killed.”
Not only will this foundation provide dogs with vests, but it will also provide funds to purchase new dogs. Providing police stations with a vested, trained dog can cost around $15,000.
In an effort to help raise funds and awareness about police dogs and proper protection, MECA Wisconsin Police Canine Vest Foundation is hosting its first annual MECA Vest A K-9 Fest. The event will take place July 14 at Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals (3670 S. 108th St., Greenfield).
“There are about 250 police dogs in Wisconsin, many of which are not vested.,” Lichtenberger says. “We hope to raise awareness. We want people to know how valuable these dogs are.”
Entrance to the event is free and will include police demonstrations, a silent auction, food, raffles and music by artist Ronnie Nyles. Brewers Mat Gamel and Cody Ransom will also join the event.
“These dogs are incredible,” Lichtenberger says. “There is such a bond between an officer and his dog. If you could see it, you would see how amazing it is.”
