Miami police dogs get life-saving gear

MIAMI, Fla. -- Police K-9 unit dogs in Miami are sporting some new gear designed to protect them in the line of duty, reports CBS Miami.

The new bullet and stab-proof vests were donated by a pet care product company called Pet Armor, according to the station.

"The community has come together to help us do our job. It's important for us to showcase when people help us help them," Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes told the station.

As the police dogs stood adorned in their new vests last Friday morning, the chief was pensive.

"In the year 2000, our police department lost a K-9 named Atlas due to a gun shot wound after he was shot and killed chasing an armed carjacking suspect. Atlas was deployed to arrest the offender. He and Officer Cooper closed in on the offender and he turned and shot Atlas point blank," said Llanes. "Atlas died several hours after surgery but the subject was arrested and is serving a life sentence."

Each of the new K-9 vests has a price tag of $950, which Pet Armor is reportedly picking up in full.