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Grant gives Boston K9s tough exterior

The Boston Herald

BOSTON —Canine cadets will be protected when they answer the call of duty, thanks to the MSPCA-Angell Animal Hospital, which donated 10 custom suits of doggy body armor yesterday to the Boston Police Department’s K9 Unit.

The department’s K9 handlers will train their four-legged partners to become accustomed to the extra weight of the vests before the pooches wear them on the streets.

“We must ensure that canine officers are protected when facing incredibly dangerous situations,’' said Carter Luke, president of MSPCA-Angell.

“Police officers risk their lives daily to protect our communities, and this includes the K9 units that are on the front lines,’' Luke said. A grant from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and The Giving Back Fund helped cover the cost of the vests, which run over $500 each.

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