TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - Bulletproof vests are just part of the uniform for members of the Toledo Police Department, but now some of their K-9 partners will wear similar gear.
The TPD has seven K-9 cops in the force. Until now, they did the dangerous job without protection. Now they'll be equipped with protective vests, thanks to some generous donations.
Joker and Damon will be getting stab and bullet-resistant vests with help from Vested Interest in K-9s, and the generous donation they collected on Groupon. TPD expects to receive three more custom-fit vests in the next couple months for their other working police dogs.
The vests can't be worn all the time because the dogs can overheat, but they will be used in high-risk situations.
"There's a reason why we're using them and that is so that it's safer for us, for the police officers upon entering and stuff, because in these situations, the dogs are the first ones through the door. That's why these vests are so important," explained Lt. Brian Twining.
TPD's K-9 unit is fairly new. Since the dogs started in October, they have participated in 300 missions, including bomb sweeps and search warrants, and assisted in 100 arrests.
