5 Detroit police dogs to wear bullet-resistant vests

DETROIT – Thor, Ben, Argo, Duke and Gimme have more protection to help fight crime in Detroit.

Those five members of the nine-dog Detroit Police Department’s Canine Unit were outfitted Tuesday with bullet-resistant vests — a donation from a Detroit-based firm.

“They weren’t exactly happy or thrilled about it,” police spokesman Sgt. Michael Woody told The Associated Press. “They are going to have to do some training.”

The vests costs about $1,000 each, but were donated by Strategic Staffing Solutions, a consulting, staffing and desktop support company.

Detroit’s nine police dogs primarily sniff out explosives and narcotics. There are plans to get vests for the remaining four dogs, Woody said.

“Every police department in this country faces budgetary constraints,” Woody said. “When you talk about vests that protect our canines, it’s just not in the budget.”

In June, Strategic Staffing Solutions made a three-year commitment to continue sponsoring the police department’s horse unit, including funding for veterinary bills, hay, grooming and feeding.

“We are humbled and grateful for their continued support,” Woody said.