Foundation's Donation Will Go Toward Purchase of Police Dog

Making sure all police K9s in Wisconsin have protective vests is only one way the MECA Wisconsin Police Canine Vest Foundation plans to help the state’s K-9 units.

On Thursday, the foundation established by veterinarian Dr. Marla Lichtenberger, owner of , announced it would purchase four police dogs, including one for Greenfield.

The foundation will present the Greenfield Police K-9 Development Fund a check for $14,000 on Friday at the at Muskego Lakes Golf Course.

Capt. Jay Johnson told Greenfield Patch last month money raised at the outing would likely be used to replace K-9 Badger, who is expected to retire this year. In addition, the foundation will purchase two dogs for the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s K-9 unit and will help the Greendale Police Department establish its K-9 unit by helping purchase its first dog.

The , Inc. is a non-profit organization focusing on vesting every Wisconsin police dog with a bullet resistant and stab proof vest and assisting police departments with purchasing dogs.

“Our police dogs are the first ones sent into harm’s way,” Lichtenberger said. “They need the same protection their human partners have when risking their lives to save ours.”

Protective bulletproof vests cost approximately $850 each; a new police dog starts at $14,000. Most police K-9 units are not funded by their own police departments, according to the foundation.

On July 14, the foundation teamed with Fox Sports Net for its first fundraiser .

“I was very pleased,” Lichtenberger said. "We had over 1,200 people attend the event, we had fun things for kids to do, food, music and police dog demonstrations."

To support the MECA Wisconsin Police Canine Vest Foundation, visit www.mecavestak9policedogwi.org or call 414-543-7387.