Metal jackets for police dogs

Tue, 05 Jun 2007

South Yorkshire police dogs are to be fitted with special body armour to protect them from being stabbed.

This is the first force in England that will use woven metal mesh jackets to protect the force’s firearms support dogs . The new jackets cost 350 pounds each.

PC Harrison said that statistics showed that police dogs are more at risk from being stabbed than being shot.

He said, "Fortunately we have not had any of our dogs hurt in this way but prevention is better than cure."

According to PC Harrison, the metal mesh design for the jackets was developed after several tests were performed on recycled police uniforms .

He said, "Previous styles of body armour have been impractical for the dogs to wear even though they provided protection.

"The vests were uncomfortable because of inflexibility, insulation and weight . The best defence a dog has is its speed and manoeuvrability."

The force claim that the jackets were tested on German Shepherds, Malinois and Rottweilers, and they worked well on all the breeds .

Chief Supt Richard Wilson, head of operational support services, said, "We've spent £2,700 on eight sets for our firearms support dogs which are most likely to face incidents involving lethal weapons .

"This investment makes sense because the dogs cost a small fortune to train and we want to keep them for as long as we can."

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