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South Tahoe girl raises money to protect police dog

Adam Jensen
ajensen@tahoedailytribune.com
Adam Jensen / Tahoe Daily TribuneLindsey Rhodes, 10, prepares to get licked by Duke, one of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department's police dogs outside the department on Thursday morning. Rhodes is raising money to buy a bulletproof vest for the department's new dog, Argo.
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Bulletproof vests typically aren’t at the top of a young girl’s wish list.

But acquiring a piece of clothing with the ability to stop ammunition is a high priority for 10-year-old South Lake Tahoe resident Lindsey Rhodes.

The vest isn’t for her; it’s for the South Lake Tahoe Police Department’s German shepherd, Argo, who joined the department in February.



Lindsey started a “Kids 4 K9s” club earlier this year. She created the group – which uses the slogan “putting our best paw forward” – simply out of a desire to provide a community service, said her dad, Rocky Rhodes.

“She just wanted to do a cause, and that’s what she wanted to do,” Rocky said outside the police department on Thursday morning.



Lindsey’s explanation for starting Kids 4 K9s was even simpler. She said she’s been fascinated with police dogs after spending some time with the department’s Belgian Malinois, Duke, during the South Lake Tahoe Police Canine Association’s annual trials. Duke already has a bulletproof vest.

“I wanted to help with the canines, just because I like them,” Lindsey said Thursday. The vest will help keep Argo safe, Lindsey added.

Canine Officer Tony Broadfoot agreed, saying police dogs are generally only put into use during potentially volatile situations. The dogs may also be charged with entering situations deemed too dangerous for human officers, Broadfoot said.

Thirsty Fourth of July crowds at El Dorado Beach provided the initial market for the about $2,000 in fundraising needed to purchase a bulletproof vest for Argo.

“I sold 70 waters and made $64.29,” Lindsey said Thursday.

A car wash this weekend should also help raise the funds to reach Rhodes’ goal. The car wash will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Meeks Lumber and Hardware, located at 2763 Lake Tahoe Blvd.

All kids are welcome to come out and lend a hand, Rocky said.


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