San Diego, California – After two recent on-the-job injuries involving law enforcement K-9s, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is moving quickly to strengthen protections for its canine officers.
The department announced this week that all 17 patrol dogs in its K-9 unit will be outfitted with K9 Storm Ballistic Vests, a significant upgrade from the protective gear previously used by the unit. The rollout comes amid renewed focus on officer safety — including the four-legged kind — following incidents earlier this month that left two K-9s injured while assisting deputies in the field.
According to the sheriff’s office, the new vests have undergone independent testing by the nonprofit Spike’s K9 Fund, which found that the armor can successfully stop bullets without tearing the interior lining. That level of protection marks a clear improvement over older models that were heavier, less flexible, and more difficult for dogs to wear over long periods…