These K-9 cops can detect drugs, search buildings, and track down bad guys. And now, they're getting a big donation to help protect them in the line of duty. The Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department’s K-9s are getting two bullet and stab proof vests.

A family from Sun Prairie did it in memory of their loved one. In December, their daughter and sister, Carly Batz died in a car crash. And the family wanted to honor Carly's love of animals.

Kristi Carnahan said, "We were all looking for a way for something good to come out of this."

Family friend Kristi Carnahan works with Carly's mom Stacey at a vet clinic in Cottage Grove. After the accident, the clinic wanted to remember Carly, by honoring her love of dogs. So they raised money to buy a bullet and stab proof vest for a police dog.

Kristi Carnahan said, "This was the perfect opportunity to allow these dogs be protected and carry on Carly's legacy."

So little by little the clinic and community saved. One vest cost$ 840 to buy, and the amount seemed staggering. Until the clinic totaled up the amount.

Kristi Carnahan said, "In a month and a half we raised enough money to vest seven dogs."

One of Eau Claire County's canine handlers, Paul Zurek, says these bullet and stab proof vests are the only protection the dogs have when they're helping fight crime.

Paul Zurek said, "They get sent in to a lot of situations where we don't know what's going on and the vests may not protect them. But, it's another tool that will help the dog, that will hopefully save his life."

Carly's sister, Sara, is a senior at UW-Eau Claire. That's why the family decided to donate to the Eau Claire Sheriff's Department.

If you want to learn more about the VEST-A-DOG program, click on “links.”