Support bulletproof vests for NM’s K-9 police pups
There was a fundraising event last week in Rio Rancho that we were not able to attend but will support in every way we can. It was designed to raise money for bulletproof vests for New Mexico police dogs, those wonderful animals that assist our police officers in so many ways. We would like to tell you we were shocked that these dogs didn’t already have them; in reality, we had probably not thought much about it. But we should have. Now is obviously the time to think about it, donate and spread the word.
We only learned recently that very few police dogs in New Mexico have bulletproof vests to wear while they are on the job. How sad is that? We understand that the costs to operate a police department are high and that payroll, cars, equipment, etc. coupled with the limited resources of most government agencies today make it difficult to find money for everything. But this seems like a very important piece of equipment that should be funded.
Vests for New Mexico K-9s, the New Mexico Jeep Group, New Mexico 4 Wheelers, ABQ 4X4, and Pet Food Gone Wild of Rio Rancho sponsored the event. Vests for New Mexico K-9s not only raises money for vests, but they also raise money for GPS monitors for the dogs, cooling devices for cars when the dogs have to be left in the car and specials costs associated with K-9 units. Although this group works closely with the National Police Dog Foundation, all the money it raises will stay in New Mexico.
Fred Hawkins of the New Mexico Jeep Group says the group originally thought it would do one fundraiser and then move on to other police needs, but the group discovered how great the need was and how few bulletproof vests are available for the dogs and are more involved than they expected to be.
Vests for the canines cost $2,200 each and are well worth the money. These dogs provide an immeasurable amount of assistance to police officers, and their superb training allows them to do tasks their human counterparts aren’t always capable of doing. They deserve the best treatment and the best protection we can give them.
Hawkins says most state police departments do not have bulletproof vests for the dogs because of budget limitations, so it is important to support this cause. Police departments needing vests for their K-9 units can submit a request to the Vests for New Mexico K-9s, and it will be considered. The group is raising money for police departments throughout the state.
We all love our pets and would do almost anything for them just because of the love and devotion they provide us, but police dogs do so much more. They literally save lives, of both the victims of crimes and also of the police officers involved in fighting crime. Their training is awesome, their skills are far beyond what we think dogs are capable of, and we must provide them with the best. That’s what they do for us.
To donate, you can go to the group’s website at vests4nmk9s. newmexicojeepgroup.com and follow the instructions. All money will stay in New Mexico.