Dr. Marla Lichtenberger, DVM, DACVECC, owner of the Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals and Specialty Services (MECA) in Greenfield, established a new organization that will provide protective K-9 vests for all police dogs in the state.

As a highly respected and knowledgeable veterinarian that specializes in critical emergency and surgical care of small and exotic animals, Dr. Lichtenberger has founded the MECA Wisconsin Police Canine Vest Foundation, Inc. Her drive and initiative to create the foundation come from her dedication and support of numerous animal rescues and animal welfare organizations statewide, as well as her commitment to improving the overall health and care of Wisconsin’s animals in need.

“Police dogs are important and valuable partners to our law enforcement and play vital roles in fighting crime in our communities by saving the lives of citizens, as well as their human police officers,” Dr. Lichtenberger said. “Police dogs are oftentimes sent into harm’s way by being dispatched to investigate hazardous or risky situations before their human partners or to confront and apprehend dangerous suspects. Some of these dogs are shot, stabbed or killed while protecting their partners and the communities in which they serve.

"When these dogs are killed in the line of duty, the result is a significant loss of vital police resources, as well as a substantial hardship for their handlers and the communities that rely upon them for protection."

Nationwide, more than 12 police dogs die each year while in the line of duty. There is in excess of 235 K-9 officers in the state of Wisconsin, most of which perform their duties without the protection needed to shield them from harm and save their lives. The fact is that the majority of law enforcement agencies are unable to afford bullet and stab-proof vests for their K-9 colleagues. However, Dr. Lichtenberger’s organization is committed to protecting every K-9 police dog in the state by providing them with bullet and stab-proof vests via tax- deductible donations through her not-for-profit foundation. Bullet and stab proof vests specially designed for canines provide police dogs the protection they need in order to perform their duties safely, in addition to saving their lives.

MECA has recently teamed up with FOX Sports Wisconsin to help create awareness of the need for these K-9 Police dog vests and to promote the first annual, “MECA VEST-A-K9 FEST” which will take place on July 14 at Milwaukee Emergency Center For Animals.

For more information, or to learn how you can help play a role in vesting Wisconsin Police K-9s, visit MECA Wisconsin Police Canine Vest Foundation, Inc. at www.mecavestak9policedogwi.org. The MECA Wisconsin Police Canine Vest Foundation, Inc. is devoted to ensuring the police dogs of Wisconsin are given the protection they deserve.

The MECA Wisconsin Police Canine Vest Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization working in conjunction with the Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals and Specialty Services (MECA) to protect every police dog in the state of Wisconsin by providing them with bullet proof and stab proof vests.