TROY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) -K9 Oates is the newest police dog to work for the City of Troy. When Oates started the job, it didn’t come with a ballistic vest to keep him safe. So, his handler took matters into his own hands.
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“I learned about Brady’s Fund from another K9 officer. He told me about it and I went and applied for a vest for my partner,” explained Nico Carello, Patrolman.
Brady’s K9 Fund is a nonprofit that has donated more than 1,000 ballistic vests to police dogs. They cost $1,200 and Carello says it’s worth every penny. “Oates goes into the danger first so the least we can do for him is provide the same protection we have.”
The K9 StreetFighter is described as a lightweight vest meant to be worn for long periods of time. It covers vital organs so the officer is protected where it counts and the dog doesn’t overheat.
Norbi, Troy Police K9, returns to work after stabbing
These vests are one of the reasons K9 Norbi is still alive. “Last year, poor Norbi who was actually stabbed multiple times; I think over a dozen times. These vests are not only important to our officers but our K9s who are also our officers,” described Mayor Carmella Mantello…