Bullet-proof vests for police dogs

July 9, 7:47 PMPittsburgh Animal Health ExaminerAlexis Jenny

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AP/ Vahid Salemi

Over the past decade, nonprofit organizations have distributed bullet-proof vests to canines who serve on police forces throughout the country.  This is made possible strictly by fundraisers and donations.  As you can imagine, it takes a lot of effort to raise enough money to equip these dogs with vests that can cost up to almost $900 each. 

The Illinois Vest-a-Dog program recently delivered a dozen vests to local police dogs.  Organizations such as VestaDog.org invite nonprofit organizations to join their crusade by helping to provide vests, raise money, or locate dogs in need of vests.  Maryland, Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Maine have similar programs.  In just a short time, vesting dogs has caught fire in eleven other states.  The volunteers are committed to their cause and pledge to work until all state police dogs have vests of their own. 

Most K9 Unit police officers develop a close relationship with their dogs.  The loyalty of an active duty German Shepherd is like no other.  These dogs not only prevent and fight crime, but have been known to save countless lives.  Click here for photos of active dogs protected by vests and some heroic canines.   

Pittsburgh does not seem to have one of these programs in effect, but there are ways to change that.  If anyone has information on a local vest-a-dog program, please comment below.