NORMAN — Thanks to the Knights of Columbus, Batu is one dog that actually gains a bit of swagger when wearing a vest.
The 4-year-old Cleveland County K-9 deputy was given a ballistics vest Sunday by members of the Knights of Columbus council from St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Moore.
“Batu,” the German word for methamphetamine, got his protective vest during a brief ceremony at the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office in downtown Norman.
“It’s amazing having an animal who can do the work of this job — narcotics, tracking and handler defense,” said Deputy Travis Shroyer, Batu’s partner. “To have him protected like I’m protected makes sense.”
Charles Blackburn, the Moore council’s grand knight, said the custom-fitted vests cost $750 each. He got the idea from a magazine article on a Knights of Columbus council in Maryland providing vests for K-9 units in its area.
He suggested doing the same for Moore police and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, and the council in Moore unanimously agreed.
Council members approached both law enforcement departments and Sheriff Joe Lester jumped at the opportunity.
“I was elated,” Lester said. “With budget demands the way they are, you have to prioritize what you can buy, and this (donation) enables us to better serve the people of Cleveland County.”
Blackburn said all four Cleveland County dog deputies eventually will receive a ballistics vest. The department’s second vest soon will be measured and ordered.
Knights of Columbus members at the ceremony said they were happy to provide the vests.
“Several K-9 animals have been killed in the last 10 years that could have survived if these vests were available,” Blackburn said. “On many occasions, these dogs not only provide added safety to the handlers, but are the key to arrests of suspected individuals being sought.”
Anyone wanting to contribute toward paying for more K-9 vests may send a contribution to the Knights of Columbus, care of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, 800 NW 5th St., Moore, 73160.
James S. Tyree 366-3541 jtyree@normantranscript.com
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