Golf tournament held to benefit Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog

AGAWAM, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Local law enforcement and supporters joined together for the first Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog Memorial Fundraising Golf Tournament at Crestview Country Club in Agawam on Monday. The event honored Frankie, who was the first K-9 in Mass. State Police history to be killed while serving on July 26, 2022. He was also the first K-9 to receive emergency care under Nero’s Law, which was established following the injury of Yarmouth Police K-9 Nero in 2018.

“You know, I’m passionate about dogs. I love police canines and I don’t think people realize how instrumental canines are in law-enforcement,” said David Shilale, president of Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog.

All proceeds from the event will support the Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog general fund. Shilale told Western Mass News that Vest-A-Dog provides essential training and safety equipment for K-9 law enforcement teams across the state. He added that these canines are more than just furry friends on the force.

“They’re not just for bad guys, but for tracking lost people, tracking evidence for criminals, narcotics, explosives, and then, of course, the bad guys, finding the bad guys that are hiding somewhere,” Shilale explained.

He said the tournament is a wonderful way to honor K-9 Frankie and support the incredible work k-9 dogs and their handlers do every day.

“These handlers spend 24/7 with these dogs and the partnership is just unbelievable, so it’s something that we value and that we just want to support anyway we can,” Shilale noted.

Founded in 2000, the Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog non-profit organization has provided over 700 bulletproof vests and essential training equipment to law enforcement agencies across the state and Shilale said the local fundraiser in Agawam will add to that success.

“They’re just an incredible resource and the relationship and the bond that I’ve seen over the years I’ve been with Mass. Vest-A-Dog between the dog and the handler is second to none,” Shilale said.

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