Wash. 4-H club raises cash for K-9s

By Scott Gutierrez
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Thanks to donations from a Lynnwood 4-H club, a police K-9 is safer these days in a new Kevlar vest.

Children with Dogs of Greater Standard, or DOGS, raised $700 to buy a ballistic vest for "Vader," one of three K-9s working for the Lynnwood Police Department.

The vests, which are custom-fitted for each animal, usually cost about $2,000. Vader, a German shepherd, has been with the department for about six months. He is the newest dog, police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said.

For two years, the children collected money at the Seattle Kennel Club show to raise money for K-9s.

"I know they worked really hard to raise the money, and Vader and I are very grateful," said Officer Curtis Zatylny, Vader's handler, in a statement.

The department needs new vests whenever a new K-9 is added to the unit.

Lynnwood police have three K-9 units, including Officer Cole Langdon and "Buddy," and Sgt. Jason Valentine and "Sandor."

Copyright 2008 The Seattle Post-Intelligencer