Police K-9 safer thanks to woman’s fundraising

Money used to outfit Portland dog with bulletproof vest

Portland police Sgt. Jim Kelly is resting easier knowing his police dog, Magnus, is protected by a ballistic vest — and he owes it all to local dog walker Brittany Murphy.

“I’m ecstatic . ... It gives me comfort to know he’s vested,” said Kelly, who received the bulletproof/ stab-proof vest over the weekend. “I was thrilled to hear she was undertaking this project to raise money — it’s not an easy task.”

Murphy, 23, started the mission last year — with hopes of reaching the goal by her 25th birthday, but COVID-19 derailed the fundraising.

Rather than give up, she perse

vered even though the fundraising climate still isn’t the same as it was pre-pandemic.

But for Murphy, it was mission accomplished before her 26th birthday, which is July 26.

“I decided for my birthday I’d rather give back. I’m a huge canine supporter and a huge police supporter,” she said.

Murphy loves animals — especially dogs — and has worked at a few animal hospitals, volunteered at shelters and now earns money walking dogs.

“Sometimes I feel they’re better than humans because they actually understand,” she said. “I love them.”

Murphy loves police and dogs so much that she attends the Police K-9 Olympics each year.

Murphy was connected to the Portland department just on the other side of Middletown by the organization Brady’s K9 Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to donating “ballistic vests to police and military working dogs,” its website states. Murphy said the West Haven Police Department wasn’t in need of a vest.

To date, the nonprofit has vested 404 K-9 officers around the nation, the Brady’s website notes.

“We want the K-9s who protect our communities across the United States to be protected their entire shift by a ballistic vest, just like their human partners,” the organization says.

The organization was started by CEO and founder Brady Snakovsky, a fifthgrader; his mother, Leah Tornabene, is the chief operating officer and married to a police officer, according to the organization.

Magnus, 11⁄2 years old, is still maturing, but he’s “intelligent” and “proactive,” Kelly said.

Magnus can sniff anything but bombs and assists in apprehensions, tracking, building searches and narcotics investigations.

He’s the only K-9 on the 12-member Portland force, but often assists other departments, including Middletown, which has four dogs.

Kelly said they heavily rely on donations such as Murphy’s in the K-9 program.

He previously had a police K-9, Nero, 5, who died from an aggressive form of skin cancer.

Murphy, who raised about $600 of the $1,200 last year, said she had to rely heavily on family and friends for donations, including her boyfriend, Chris Dmytruk, who gave $500, and his family.

She also contributed some of the money she’s earned dog-walking.

Murphy presented Magnus and Kelly with the vest informally and he gave her a $50 gift card and took her and her family out to lunch.

Best of all, she got to meet Magnus.

“He’s a very friendly big boy,” she said.

Brittany Murphy / Contributed photos Brittany Murphy, left, of West Haven; with Portland police dog Magnus and Sgt. Jim Kelly. Murphy raised $1,200 to get a bulletproof vest for Magnus.

Portland police Sgt. Jim Kelly and police K-9 Magnus, wearing his new protective vest.

Brittany Murphy / Contributed photos Brittany Murphy, left, of West Haven, holds a bulletproof vest for Portland police dog Magnus, whose handler, Sgt. Jim Kelly, stands at right.

Brittany Murphy of West Haven with the police K-9 Magnus.