K-9 Unit Gets New Body Armor

The Hemet Police K-9 unit’s three Belgian Malinois have been training with the new body armor after two state of the art vests were donated to the force to help protect their K9 Unit. These vests are bulletproof and knife-resistant vests. The vests, which have not yet been used on duty, will offer more protection to the dogs than the vests worn by officers, which are not stab-proof. The dogs will only wear the $1,500 vests when responding to dangerous calls.
“It gives me the comfort to know he’s protected,” Maddox said, who has been partnered with Rosco for 14 months. “To me, he’s a family pet.”

The K-9 unit consists of Maddox, Officer Pat Long, his dog Niko and Officer Mike Arellano with his dog Fritts. The dogs go home with their owners and are playful when not in pursuits. Each of the dogs costs about $12,000 for Hemet police to purchase and train. Each was funded solely through donations, with large contributions coming regularly from the Hemet Elks Club.

Hemet police were prompted to seek the dog vests after they responded to a burglary call where the K-9 unit was searching for an armed suspect earlier this year. It was during the same time officers were on heightened alert from a series of unusual attacks on the local police.

Maddox requested the vests from the Vests N’ Police Dog Protection program, operated by Susie Jean, of Socorro, N.M. Jean has donated vests to 560 dogs in 40 states. Jean, a former hair stylist, began the collection for police dog vests eight years ago when she saw a news program about a dog that was shot and killed. She now has a waiting list for other police dogs and seeks donations full time.

For full story:
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_earmor30.2b6e1f0.html