Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a K9 work?
A career for a K9 in generally 8 to 10 years long.
How much does a K9 cost?
Dogs can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000 each and arrive between 1 and 2 years
old, understanding basic commands before attending intial training. Additionally, some dogs that have the aptitude to
be a police canine are purchased from the local pound or donated from other agencies.
How much training is required for a K9 team?
K9's and their handlers attend an initial training session lasting approximately 3
months. The handlers and dogs get to know one another and get used to each other's responses. Then specific training
begins - scent tracking and apprehension work. Additional training (beyond the 3 months) is required for any specialty
areas: scent recognition of cadavers (bodies), narcotics, accelerants (arson investigation) and bombs. A certification
process is held for every K9 team (dog and handler) for each area of training.
How much does a vest cost?
CT Vest-A-Dog, Inc. purchases vests from Point Blank Body Armor (www.pointblankarmor.com).
The vests are a combination stab and ballistic resistant and custom fit for each dog. The cost is $850 per vest.
How long are the vests good for?
The ballistic warranty (from the manufacturer) is good for five years. Our goal
is to continue to provide every CT law enforcement canine with a vest every five years.
Why vest a police dog?
* It affords protection to highly trained dogs.
* It gives peace of mind to the law enforcement officer who needs to watch for
the safety of him or herself as well as his/her K9 partner.
* It provides a savings to the taxpayer. If a K9 were to be incapacitated
as a result of an injury or killed, the cost to replace this valuable team member could cost as much as $15,000
for purchase, equipment and several months of training.
(Rozanne Trezza - Assoc.
Director, Humane Society of NJ)
How many law enforcement K9's are there in CT?
There are approximately 75 municipal (or local) law enforcement K9's in the state.
That number does not include dogs from the State of Connecticut and the Department of Corrections.
Do the vests hinder the dogs mobility?
These vests have been "wear-tested" and the handlers have repeatedly noted that their
K9 partners move freely while wearing the vest. See the picture of K9 Rocky above. A picture speaks a thousand
words!
Exactly what protection to the vests offer?
The vests offer protection against both bullets and most punctures. Additionally,
the padding of the protective material on the vests also help to minimize injuries from "blunt trauma" wounds.
How do the K9 vests compare to the vests the law enforcement officers wear?
The exact same material and testing are used for the production of the K9 vests.
Do you have a question that we didn't cover here?
