Seymour Police Dogs Receive Protective Equipment

Contributed Photo

Zoar (black dog) and Argus (brown and black dog).

SEYMOUR — The Seymour Police Department’s two crime-fighting dogs recently received new equipment to protect them as they help take a bite out of crime.

Thanks to an online fundraising campaign, along with a donation from a local company, the department’s police dogs, Zoar and Argus, have been outfitted with bullet-and stab-proof vests.

Zoar, who is K9 Officer John Oczkowski’s partner, received his ballistic vest courtesy of an unspecified donation from Seymour business LeClaire Heating and Cooling. 

Argus, the partner to K9 Officer Dave Gallo, received his protective vest courtesy of Brady’s K9 Fund, an Ohio-based foundation run by a young boy whose mission is to protect police dogs with body armor.

In addition, an online fundraising campaign held on behalf of the department by HeroK9, a national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring working police dogs have access to the highest quality equipment and training, raised more than $4,800 in less than 24 hours, according to Oczkowski. The money will provide Argus with a kennel for inside Gallo’s police vehicle, and a door pop” system that will allow Gallo to remotely unlatch the car door to let Argus out and come to his aid when needed.

The K9 unit sincerely appreciates the kindness and generosity (of all those who donated) and would also like to recognize all of our great citizens of Seymour for their support of our K9 unit,” Oczkowski said in an email.

Police dog vests can cost upwards of $2,000 or more, Seymour Police Chief Paul Satkowski had said, so the department is grateful to all the donors for providing this valuable equipment to keep our canines safe in the performance of their duties.”

Contributed Photo

K9 Officer John Oczkowski (left) with Rich LeClaire, owner of LeClaire Heating and Cooling

Oczkowski said the department is still about $6,000 shy in its goal to outfit Gallo’s vehicle with a climate-controlled system necessary to keep Argus safe, along with some related equipment for the K9 vehicle. 

Although we have reached our goal in providing this important protective equipment for both of our K9’s, there is still more that we would like to do to protect and assist K9 Argus and K9 Zoar while on patrol,” Oczkowski added.

Satkowski said during a recent police commission meeting that there may be money available to pay for the equipment in the department’s seizure fund.

We’ll have to see where we can find money to fund the shortage, but we’ll make it work,” Satkowski said.

Zoar and Argus have been valuable assets to both the Seymour police, as well as surrounding police departments without canine units, Satkowski said. Zoar came onboard in 2016 and is certified in patrol, tracking and narcotics work. Argus began work here in late 2019, and like Zoar, is certified in patrol, tracking and narcotics.

Satkowski had said the K9 units are an essential part of the department, and have made numerous apprehensions of criminal suspects.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to help fund additional K9 equipment and supplies can send checks payable to The Seymour Police K9 Unit and mail to Seymour Police Department, 11 Franklin St., Seymour, CT 06483.

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