Roanoke Rapids police are hoping the vests for their two dogs — Dozer and Pocock — will protect them in similar situations.

The two $950 vests were received through a Groupon Event that raised more $335,000 to outfit police canine's with bullet and stab-proof vests, Vested Interest in K9s the non-profit group that benefitted from the event.

“Dogs in the line of duty are an investment,” said Roanoke Rapids Deputy Chief Andy Jackson. “The average price is $15,000 including the investment in training and the hundreds of hours training.”

The vests, according to Sergeant Daniel Jenkins, who is Pocock's handler, meet National Institute of Justice standards for protecting dogs from stab wounds and bullets. “If you did a study of the number of dogs killed, there are so many of them. Sometimes they have to sacrifice. Sometimes they are put in a position that they give their life for it.”

The vests give the dogs that protection and a fighting chance. “The time when you deploy a dog, you don't get a chance to say goodbye. This gives them added protection,” said Jenkins.

Pocock.

The dogs and their handlers become close, Jenkins said. “When you're by yourself one dog is worth seven officers to me. There are all kinds of studies that show the effect of a dog's presence.”

Jackson said Pocock is a tracking and explosives dog, while Dozer, handled by Officer Gerald Morris, is tracking and drug dog.

Morris likes the idea of Dozer wearing a vest. “We do so much tracking. It's a great investment.”

Like Jenkins and Pocock, Morris and Dozer have formed a close bond. “I wouldn't trade him for the world. He's like one of my children.”