Halifax search and rescue team says its dogs need better protection

Above watch: Halifax Regional Search and Rescue is asking for help to buy critical equipment for a special unit of its team. Julia Wong reports.

HALIFAX – The K-9 unit is a critical part of the Halifax Regional Search and Rescue team, but team members say the animals are often under-protected.

The canines wear orange vests that signify their association with the volunteer-run, non-profit organization, and now the team is trying to raise money for Kevlar vests to better protect the animals during searches in the wilderness.

“There was a police dog in Massachusetts that was killed as a result of an impalement in the woods. That’s absolutely our worst case scenario.”

Service said the organization does not have enough money to equip all the dogs with the Kevlar vests. Right now, only two of the four dogs are equipped with them. The vest and other training equipment cost $3,500 per animal.

The team is trying to raise $7,000 to cover the cost for the additional two dogs.

“They benefit greatly from the protection of the vests to prevent punctures or wounds or impalements. When they’re tracking, they’re focused heavily on the track and they don’t always pay attention to their surroundings,” said volunteer Kanis Hirtle.

Service said the dogs are can work without the vests but searches could potentially be hampered if something were to happen to the animals.

“If a dog does become injured then we’re going to be taking resources away or taking some resources away to try and deal with the injury, which is something that’s preventable,” he said.

“From the search and rescue standpoint, it would be highly detrimental to the capability of the team,” Hirtle said.

Hirtle works with the animals several days of the week and said the canines are important members of the team that he does not want to see hurt.

“We’re next to family essentially. It would be hard to take,” he said.

Volunteer Wayne Marchand said community fundraising is the main way the group is able to purchase equipment. The group traditionally held grassroots fundraisers but they are trying an online campaign for the first time.

He hopes residents recognize the important work the team does.

“We’re in this to make sure people are found, hopefully alive and if not, then found just to have closure. To us, that’s important,” he said.

The group is also holding another fundraiser May 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 116 Lakeview Road in conjunction with Ford, which will donate $20 for every person who test drives a Ford vehicle.