K-9 Ballistic Vests

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit is comprised of six teams. Four of the K-9 teams are dual purpose where the dogs conduct narcotics and man work searches, and two K-9 teams are dual purpose conducting explosives and man work searches. These teams augment the Patrol Bureau's activities by responding to high risk incidents requiring the unique abilities of the K-9 partnership. These often include locating missing persons, tracking and apprehending fleeing criminals, building searches, high-risk vehicle stops, article searches, and narcotic and explosive odor detection. Each team receives 600 hours of training prior to going into service and is certified annually by both the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the National Police Canine Association. By equipping each K-9 with a ballistic vest, the dogs will be further protected without losing any functionality. The vests will also enhance their abilities so they and their handlers are able to go home safe every day.

K-9 Ando (shown in photo with vest) recently received a ballistic vest.  Still in need  of ballistic vests are: K-9 Indy, a German Shephard, K-9 Ryker, a Belgium Malinois, K-9 Eros, a German Shephard, K-9 Bryx, a Belgium Malinois, and K-9 Nox, a Belgium Malinois.  A local organization has pledged the monies to outfit one of these K-9  deputies with a vest, so only four remaining vests are needed.  Photo below shows all the SCSO K-9 dogs from top to bottom, left to right you have; Ando, Ryker, Indy, Bryx, Eros and Nox.

I am asking all local dog lovers and supporters of our hard-working men and women in green, to support and protect these K-9s who do so much to keep our community and our residents safe!  Please make a donation - any amount will help - so that the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office can purchase the remaining four ballistic vests that are needed.  Please note:  This page was created with permission from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

Thank you!