Chattanooga police dogs get bulletproof vests

David Chadwick of Invest In K-9, left, holds the leash as Master Patrol Officer Sean O'Brien fastens a bullet-proof dog vest on Yubee, a police dog in training, on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Money for the vests came from donations to Invest In K-9, and the presentation was made at the RIVER Vet Emergency Clinic on Amnicola Highway, where many customers made donations to the fund. David Chadwick of Invest In K-9, left, holds the leash as Master Patrol Officer Sean O'Brien fastens a bullet-proof dog vest on Yubee, a police dog in training, on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Money for the vests came from donations to Invest In K-9, and the presentation was made at the RIVER Vet Emergency Clinic on Amnicola Highway, where many customers made donations to the fund.

By Yolanda Putman January 1, 2015 3 min read

A Walker County, Ga., deputy sheriff received a check for his K-9’s bulletproof vest on the same day this year that his dog was killed in the line of duty. The dog was shot dead before the officer could buy the protective vest.

Robin Scott, founder of inVEST in K9, wants to make sure other police dogs are better protected.

Thanks to her efforts, all 10 dogs with the Chattanooga Police Department have bulletproof vests.

On Tuesday she gave a $985 vest to Yubee, a police dog still in training, so the dog would have the vest before it encounters danger. At least five more vests will be available for incoming police dogs.

Scott, who was raised by a police officer, has spearheaded efforts to provide bullet/knife-resistant vests for police dogs since 2013. She hopes to provide all law enforcement dogs in the state with vests.