The Georgia Police K-9 Foundation has donated lightweight protective vests to three police dogs in Gwinnett County.
The vests were given to K-9 Armo and K-9 Cino of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and K-9 Jekel of the Gwinnett County Police Department. The vests are lightweight “Streetfighter” vests intended to protect the dogs while preventing them from overheating in hot weather.
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The Gwinnett County Police Department lost a K-9 officer, 9-year-old Eli, in May, after the dog tracked a suspect for about 30 minutes in 90-degree weather. Eli's death was heat-related, as were the deaths of three other Georgia police dogs in the past five years.
The donated vests are made of fabric that helps regulate a dog’s body temperature, according to the Georgia Police K9 Foundation. They are also bullet resistant, covering the areas on a dog’s body that would be most devastating if wounded.
The foundation has given dozens of items to K-9 officers and their handlers, including 57 vests, 30 Narcan kits and 15 first aid kits. The group also aims to help to police dogs who have retired by providing food and medical care.
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