ORANGE — The town is eager to take another bite out of crime.
While the Orange Police Department reels from the death of its beloved police dog, K9 Matte in April, various community organizations have come forward to raise money for a new dog to take on Matte’s responsibilities. American Legion Post 172 has pledged $10,000 and the Pioneer Junior Women’s Club started fundraising two weeks ago, having already collected $4,300, according to President Brenda Taylor.
Officer Chris Bisceglia, who is replacing veteran Officer Clay Rushford as K9 handler, said he and Rushford are talking with vendors and weighing their options for a new police dog, though the purchase price could range from $7,500 to $11,000. Bisceglia said all donated money exceeding the purchase cost will be used for the dog’s food, gear, training and veterinary care.
Taylor said the Pioneer Junior Women’s Club will hold a benefit “Chinese auction” at Orange Solstice RiverFest on June 18 and a Paint & Sip event (similar to Wine & Canvas) at the Orange Elks Club from 6 to 8 p.m. on July 22. She said Solstice RiverFest will be a K9 demonstration with a trained dog from the area and the Chinese auction’s main prize will be an outdoor grill donated by Hamshaw Lumber. Branch Manager Chris Marshall said he was happy to contribute to such a great cause.
“I think it’s important for the community,” he said, adding that Taylor had stopped in while soliciting donations. “I’d say having a K9 on the police force is invaluable for a number of reasons — tracking, protection.”
Marshall said the Webber grill retails for roughly $399.
Taylor said the women’s club has been involved with the K9 program for 30 years.
“It’s just worked out very well, so everybody wants to keep it in town, keep the K9 program going,” she said, adding that she is a dog lover in general. “Dogs are special.”
Taylor said donations can be made out to the Pioneer Junior Women’s Club K9 Fund, PO Box 193, Orange, MA.
Bisceglia said he marvels at the public support for the department and its K9 program.
“It just goes to show that the community, when there’s a need, they pull together,” he said.
Bisceglia said a police K9 serves several purposes, including detecting narcotics, helping to find missing people and tracking suspects and fugitives. He also said the department occassionally brings its dog to schools for demonstrations. German shepherds, Belgian shepherds and Belgian malinois are common breeds for police dogs, he said. Matte was a German shepherd.
According to the Orange Police Department’s Facebook page, Matte died on April 6, four weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer. He became a member of the police force in October 2007. Rushford reported Matte experienced no pain and continued to work every day in his final weeks, once even tracking a suspect for one mile.
You can reach Domenic Poli at:dpoli@recorder.com
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On Twitter: @DomenicPoli