Maine State Police dogs gets new protective vests

Gleni patrols with Troop F in Aroostook County. (Courtesy photo)

Police dog Landy, who teams with Maine State Police Trooper Matt Williams who often patrols Lebanon, was one of eight canines to receive new protective vests. The vests are bullet and stab proof and will help protect the dogs as they work with their Trooper partners around Maine. 

The vests, which cost $950 each, were donated thanks to efforts from Vested Interest in K9s Inc, a charity from East Taunton, Mass., which has provided vests to more than 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 is a former New York police officer, now living in Sorrento, Maine. Madeleine Hamersley, 83, donated funding to equip a number of dogs around the country, including Winger, 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 1,200calls.