Police officers count on bulletproof vests every day. Now the dogs of the K-9 unit with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office have the same protection.

Sheriff Bill Schatzman said Wednesday his office has received bulletproof, stab-proof vests for eight of the department's 10 dogs. Schatzman said the dogs detect explosives, drugs and firearms and help catch criminals, and are in harm's way.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports none of the sheriff's dogs have been killed in the line of duty.

The vests cost $900 each and were donated by Vest NPDP, a nonprofit organization.

Deputy Shane Wells says the vests weigh about 5 pounds and don't
seem to hamper the dogs' activities. The department is working to raise money to get two more vests.

The Winston-Salem Police Department's 10 dogs already have vests.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)