Mass nixes fees for K9 vets’ vets

[Anky]

I saw this in the Boston Herald the other day.  Didn't' get to finish reading it though so I looked it up today.

http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=116953

[ZooCrew]

Oh, that is horrible!  They wouldn't treat their retired officers this way.  Perhaps if they don't want to pay for medical services, they dogs should start racking up a pention so they can get some kind of retirement benefits.

That is just wrong to take away benefits for service dogs.  They do their job with all their heart, and when they are retired, they should be taken care of accordingly.  Perhaps the cataract surgery was a bit much for that one dog, but maybe they should need to have a signature or permission to have surgery over a certain amount.

I hope this gets resolved soon, and that it benefits the service dogs' futures.

[newflvr]

I'm sorry, but if Calif. can do open heart surgery on a death row resident, why can't MA take care of their retired service dogs???

[my3dogs]

Pitiful.

[Scootergirl]

From the article it sounds like they are already seeing their misjudgement of this policy, but I'm still all for a letter-writing campaign to support a change. If the police department decides to use dogs for police work, they need to be prepared when the purchase a dog to take care of that dog for its lifetime. Not all retired dogs are going to require expensive medical treatment, as not all retired human police officers are going to require expensive medical treatmetn, but they wouldn't deny the police officers this same courtesy.

These dogs often put themselves in harm's way to save the life of an officer, find criminals where humans can't and detect illegal substances where humans can't. Many times they are not even given bullet proof vests because they are so expensive.

In fact, I propose our next fundraising opportunity be directed towards a non-profit organization that provides police dogs with bullet-proof vests. I remember reading about a little boy (or girl?) that started an organization to do this. I'll find the name and post it.

I know none of the police dogs in our town have vests. I asked one K-9 officer how much they cost. He said about $500 each.

Jeanne

EDIT: the website is http://www.penniestoprotectpolicedogs.org/en-us/index.php

[Scootergirl]

Even better!