Protection for Police Dogs

Brady's K-9 Fund makes sure police K-9s, such as Wilson, from Cobleskill Police Department in New York, are equipped with protective vests.IMAGE: Brady's K-9 Fund

Police K-9s are extraordinary animals, highly trained and specialized, working in close partnership with their handlers to assist with a range of tasks.

These remarkable dogs are vital members of the police force. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, four-legged officers often lack vital protection when facing dangerous adversaries.

In 2023, the Officer Down Memorial Page reports 25 K-9 officers lost their lives in the line of duty. Besides losing a valued member of the force, finding a suitable replacement is no easy task. Basic K-9 training can take around 4 to 6 months for K-9 teams and can exceed $20,000 in total training expenses, reports Leah Tornabene, president of Brady’s K9 Fund.

According to Tornabene, nearly half of fallen K-9s die from gunshot wounds or stabbings, which might have been prevented if the police K-9 wore a bullet-resistant vest. This is where Brady's K9 Fund comes into play. The nonprofit helps provide necessary protection for police K-9s.

The Need for Protection

At the tender age of eight, Brady Snakovsky watched “Live PD” and realized not all police K-9s wear protective vests. This revelation sparked his mission to raise funds and ensure K-9 officers received proper protection.

“Brady noticed the dogs were not being protected and had the drive to change the problem,” says Tornabene, Brady’s mother. “Most people may not realize police K-9s do not receive vests automatically. Many departments cannot afford to fund them.”

Though Brady, now an eight-grader, later left the nonprofit to concentrate on academic and sports activities, the legacy he established remains. Tornabene has stepped in to lead the non-profit founded by her son.

“We have given out 980 vests since we started,” she adds.

Why Vests?

The core mission of Brady's K9 Fund is simple: provide every working dog in America with a lightweight ballistic vest, similar to those worn by human officers. These vests are crucial in ensuring the safety of working K-9s as they confront threats while serving their communities, according to Tornabene.

She explains police K-9s play vital roles in law enforcement from drug detection, suspect apprehension and weapon searches to SWAT operations. In dangerous situations, police K-9s are commonly the first to step forward, risking their lives to protect their human partners and communities, Tornabene says.

“Situations like these can turn violent in a matter of seconds, so the dogs need body armor, just like any officer, to prevent them from getting injured,” she says. “It is common for police K-9s to get shot or stabbed. They need a vest that covers their vital organs to provide protection in violent situations.”

Sadly, she says, many people believe city budgets cover all police K-9’s needs. But that’s not true. “Their needs are typically run by donations, even food and veterinary care are not provided by the city, nor is equipment,” Tornabene says. “Most often, a local veterinarian donates veterinary care. Handlers often pay out of pocket for food, rewards, toys and other needs.”

Others mistakenly believe grants cover safety equipment, she adds. “But there are few grants available to cover vests,” Tornabene explains. “Most animal protection funds go to animal shelters.”

The lack of funding places the responsibility of equipping police K-9s on donations and fundraisers, according to Tornabene. Brady’s K9 Fund raises money for vests through an annual fundraiser at a local brewery and online contributions. Donations for vest purchases can be made at the Brady’s K9 Fund website.  

Pick the Right Vest

With funding in hand, the next step is to choose the right vest. Tornabene explains there are a variety of vest styles to choose from.

“There is the old-school vest that’s very heavy and covers the dog from neck to tail,” she says. “It’s very cumbersome and will not allow full movement of the K-9. Often, K-9s will not tolerate them and may even stop working. The vests also cannot be worn the entire shift, or they will overheat the dog.”

Newer vests have a modern design that protects vital organs without covering the entire back. “These vests meet the needs of K-9s that need their lungs, heart, and other vital organs covered,” she says.

Brady's K-9 Fund distributes LOF Defense Systems K9 StreetFighter vests to law enforcement and special forces K-9 teams. The 4.4-pound vest is known for its lightweight design and Outlast Thermal Management Technology, which keeps dogs cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather.

“The design and materials ensure working dogs can wear it comfortably for their entire shifts, providing the vital protection they need,” she says.

In 2019, the ASPCA honored Brady's K9 Fund with an ASPCA Humane Award.IMAGE: Brady's K-9 Fund, ASPCAGetting on the Waitlist

To request a vest, handlers need simply fill out a form at  Brady’s K9 Fund.

The organization maintains a waitlist of handlers who have requested vests for their K-9 partners. The waitlist can be as long as six months, highlighting the urgent need for more support and funding to fulfill these requests, Tornabene says.

“Most of our requests come from word of mouth, where one handler tells another handler about us, and they make a request,” she says.

The Future

Tornabene extends heartfelt gratitude to the donors and supporters who make their mission a reality. She recognizes that without the generosity of citizens who donate their funds, this worthy cause would not thrive.

Brady's K9 Fund's primary goal is to supply bullet-resistant vests to those on the waitlist, with no specific intentions of adding other services.

“We have such a long wait list for body armor that it makes little sense for us to take funds and put them elsewhere,” she says. “While other non-profits may donate different equipment, we will prioritize one of the most crucial pieces for handlers and their partners.”

Brady's K9 Fund continues to grow and make a difference, serving as a reminder that there are heroes with fur and tails who need protection too. When these specialized animals wear bullet-resistant vests, they can return home safely after every shift, ready to serve the community again and again.