Hi Joe,
In response to the current attention being given to Officer Campbell and his K-9 Charlie, we’d like to introduce ourselves and explain how we are addressing this issue on a local basis.
The National K-9 Working Dog, Inc. (NK9WD), a non-profit organization, was founded to enhance and improve the lives of Police K- 9s in their retirement years. Over 95% of police departments do not provide benefits for their retired police K-9s. In most cases, the K-9s are classified as “equipment” and not officers and therefore when they are discharged from duty, the liability of the department ends.
Unfortunately, because of budgets and the economy, a vet bill and medicine now cost as much as a visit to a medical doctor and operations also are extremely costly. Remember, these dogs are just like 70 to 90 years old in human life having the same issues as humans such as arthritis, coronary disease, and gastrointestinal problems needing special foods.
The NK9WD is helping by providing vet services and medicine, we are helping to lower the animal euthanasia rates by assisting in the care of animals that may not have had a chance because of a handler's financial situation. We don't believe our K9 Heroes should have to suffer or meet and untimely death because of their handler's lack of personal funds. Police officers/K-9 handlers are the only profession that asks that they take care of their partner in retirement. They protected all of us (the general public) in the line of duty and we believe it is now our responsibility (the public¹s) to protect them.
Due to liability reasons, Police K-9's cannot be adopted after retirement. Ownership of a trained tactical dog cannot be transferred to another owner. The government agencies (local, state, federal) cannot afford to take a chance of one of these dogs hurting someone because the new owner is unable to control it. If the original handler cannot afford the upkeep of these dogs after they can no longer work, the only legal option is euthanasia.
The use of K-9's has grown exponentially over the last 10 years. Homeland security has asked for 5,000 new dogs in the next few years and that is not counting all the police departments in the country that want new dogs as well as our military. All of these dogs will suffer the same fate at retirement depending on the faith and trust and unconditional love between handler and dog and not for the hero’s work that these dogs have preformed. When everyone is running for their life out of a building in an emergency the Police K-9 is running in. We need your help now!
Friend us on facebook www.facebook/NK9WD.com and join us to help all retired dogs live out their days in comfort. For more information or to become a member, visit http://www.nk9wd.com/ .
Jay Meranchik, President
Eva Dupont, Mid-Atlantic Rep
The National K-9 Working Dog, Inc.
PO Box 820 - Seaford, DE 19973
info@nationalk-9workingdog.org
954-788-5333 or 302-629-4561
Publisher's Notes: I received a phone call from Mr. Meranchik very soon after my radio interview with Dan Gaffani this morning. Mr. Meranchik is in Florida today.
1 comment:
Since Mr. Campbell is not interested in being reimbursed for Charlie's medical expenses, perhaps all the people who were/are willing to pitch in could send this group money instead... to "pay it forward" for another 4-legged officer who will need it someday.
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