BEND, OR -- Deschutes County K9 deputies are getting new body armor. Sgt. Jayson Janes says, "We’ve tried different armored vests for our dogs for years, but they were all basically one-size-fits-all; small, medium and large. So, they didn’t work for our dogs because not all dogs are the same size. And they would get raw spots from the vests, and they just didn’t work out." He tells KBND News, "It wasn't until we found this company, K9 Storm, that we found body armor that was actually custom fit for each individual dog. So they could actually wear it and it doesn’t give them rub marks or injuries from wearing the vest all day."

Janes says the vests are more than just bullet- and stab-resistant, "If they’re searching a construction site, or somewhere out in the woods, it’ll protect their belly area from getting punctures or scrapes while they’re out searching around, as well."

Riko, Ronin and Roper are the first to be outfitted. The other two patrol K9s will get theirs in the next few months.