An Investment in K-9 Safety

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday joined the growing ranks of law enforcement agencies to outfit their K-9 dogs with bulletproof vests.

While attacks on police dogs are rare, officials said they owe it to their four-legged comrades to provide the best possible protection from criminals.

“The dogs you see out here are part of our family. We love them,” Sheriff Michael S. Carona said. “We appreciate the job they do for us on a day-to-day basis. We’re protecting our dogs because they’re the first ones in the door.”

The Santa Ana Elks Lodge donated the $3,200 needed to buy the six fatigue-green vests for the sheriff’s K-9 unit. They run from collar to tail and attach under the animal’s belly with Velcro straps. The jackets are designed to protect most vital organs of the dog.

Several other local departments, including Irvine, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach, have also purchased K-9 vests over the last year--mostly with donated funds.

Each vest costs about $500. Officials said it’s a small price to pay considering that each police dog costs about $8,000, plus an additional $20,000 to train.

The Sheriff’s Department action comes as law enforcement officials across the nation move to better protect police dogs.

Under the Federal Law Enforcement Animal Protection Act, which was signed into law in August, criminals who harm canine cops face stricter punishment: a one-year prison sentence for injuring a dog and a 10-year sentence for killing one. Before, federal law required only a fine.

Police departments across the nation are adding dogs to their patrols. In additional to sniffing for drugs and explosives, dogs are used to chase suspects, search for children and control crowds.

The Sheriff’s Department said that none of its six dogs has ever been shot. But in Irvine earlier this year, a K-9 was allegedly hit by a fleeing robber.

Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Downey said that each time his partner, Bach, went in search of a criminal hiding from authorities, he worried it could be the last.

But Bach, a German shepherd born and bred in the Czech Republic, now has a vest--just like Downey.

“When you know the suspect’s got a gun and you send in the dog, you don’t know if the suspect has something there waiting for the dog,” Downey said. “Now, right before we go in somewhere to search, [the vest] is the last piece of equipment I put on him.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Protecting Police Dogs

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit will outfit six dogs with bullet-proof vests.

Anti-ballistic armor protects dog’s vital organs

Back & side panel

Chest plate yoke

Velcro belt connects top and bottom panels

Adjustible shoulder straps

Source: Kathy Ryan, International Armor

Graphics reporting by BRADY MacDONALD / Los Angeles Times