Wed, 26 Oct, 2016 12:09:58 AM FTimes – STT Report, Oct 26 File Photo – Lehtikuva. Police dogs will get vests to protect themselves from gunshots and stabbings.
National Police Dog Training Centre Director Pekka Kokkonen said the vests are now in trial use in different parts of Finland. During next year, body armour will be rolled out to all police dogs.
Police dog Börje was wounded in August, when a murder suspect stabbed it during an apprehension attempt in Loviisa.
“The dog received serious wounds, but he was fortunate, due to the quick emergency care and the university animal hospital,” said Kokkonen.
According to Kokkonen, Börje has recovered and has returned to work from sick leave.
“Börje has limited work and his future looks good. We expect him back at 100%,” said Kokkonen.
Kokkonen said even before Börje’s case, there were initiatives to invest in protective gears for dogs.
“Police dogs previously wore vests, but the problem was that they are very heavy and cumbersome. They were acquired during the 80s and 90s and have gone virtually unused,” Kokkonen explained.
There are 273 police dogs in Finland. Most are tasked with catching dangerous people.
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