Peninsula's only K-9 gets bulletproof vest

[MORA Ranger]

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story...-6334934c.html

Peninsula's only K-9 gets bulletproof vest
DONOR: Nikiski man gives $1,200 in name of late, pet-loving wife.

The Associated Press

Published: May 5th, 2005
Last Modified: May 5th, 2005 at 05:58 AM

KENAI -- In memory of his late wife, a Nikiski man has donated more than $1,200 to buy a bulletproof vest for the Kenai Peninsula's only police dog.

"Animals were her passion," David Shoemaker said of the tribute for Kazan, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois stationed at the Soldotna post of the Alaska State Troopers since 2001.

Shoemaker's wife, Dawn Shoemaker, died three years ago of adrenal gland cancer.

"She was active in pet rescue and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals," he said. "She loved caring for animals of all kinds."

Shoemaker decided that purchasing the vest was the right thing to do after receiving so much community support. He also wanted to honor his wife's love of animals.

"Had she been alive, she would have done it without hesitation," he said.

Trooper Brad Nelson, Kazan's handler, has long championed the cause to buy canine ballistic armor, but with state and troopers budget crunches, funds for such a purchase are tight.

"To have someone from the community -- especially unsolicited -- want to do something like this, it really means a lot," Nelson said. "The Shoemakers aren't just good Samaritans, they're good people."

Kazan takes the place of -- by some law enforcement estimates -- five human officers.

"Kazan's duties include narcotics detection, locating lost or missing persons, locating suspects in hiding at a crime scene, perimeter patrol for serving warrants and tracking a suspect that flees the scene," Nelson said.