S.C. Students Raise Money to Buy K-9 Bullet-Proof Vests

Feb. 20, 2012

An eighth-grader was watching television a few weeks ago when he learned that an area police dog had been killed in the line of duty, and his thoughts turned to the Batesburg-Leesville Police Department.

Feb. 20--Jaylen Rauch found the news disturbing.

The Batesburg-Leesville Middle School eighth-grader was watching television a few weeks ago when he learned that an area police dog had been shot and killed in the line of duty.

"I thought about this for a couple of days and it really bothered me," Jaylen said "My thoughts were, 'Why would someone want to shoot and kill a harmless dog trying to do his job?'"

His thoughts quickly turned to the Batesburg-Leesville Police Department.

"I knew my police department had dogs that helped them do their job," he said. "I wondered if the police dogs had protective vests like the human police."

On Friday, Jaylen and his classmates made sure the animals did when they presented $3,200 to Sgt. Gary Price and his canine partner, Taz. The money will supply vests for Taz and Sisco, another police dog with the Batesburg-Leesville force. Any leftover funds will help purchase other necessary items for the dogs.

After initially collecting money on his own, Jaylen asked Batesburg-Leesville Middle School principal Angie Rye if the school could get involved. Rye agreed and invited Price and Taz to the school for a demonstration. Afterward, she challenged students to help Jaylen raise $2,000 to buy the vests.

By the end of that day, one class had turned in $130.03. And within a week students had raised the remaining funds, primarily through student donations and additional contributions from the community.

Jaylen said the effort was well worth the undertaking.

"I think that the contributions police dogs make in my area are unselfish sacrifices," he said.

Price, who keeps Taz at his home with his wife and two children, said the animals' dedication to the force is "unbelievable."

"That is another reason that the bulletproof vests would be so valuable for our police dogs," Price said. "They are fearless and will do everything they can to protect us."

Jaylen said he's pleased the school has taken an active role in keeping the community safer.

"Taking on this project means a lot to me and my classmates because killing an animal that is helping keep the community safe is wrong," he said. "It should be protected."