Arlington Heights police dog gets bulletproof vest

Yara, the newest member of the Arlington Heights Police Department, now has a bulletproof vest to keep her safe on the job.

The 2-year-old Belgian Malinois joined the department's K-9 unit in September as a partner of Officer Jeff Tegtmeyer. After five weeks of training in Indiana, the two are on the job patrolling Arlington Heights, but officials say Yara needs special equipment to stay safe just like her partner.

Two companies - Animal Feeds and Needs of Arlington Heights and Fromm Family Pet Food of Mequon, Wisconsin - have teamed up to donate the money necessary to buy Yara a special canine bulletproof vest, according to the police department. An $800 donation by the two companies will cover all costs, and a custom-fitted vest for Yara should be delivered in six weeks.

The department said more than 90 canines have been killed in the line of duty from a gun or sharp force traumatic injury in the last decade.

"The police department greatly appreciates this act of community support," a statement from the police department reads.