Aggie raises funds to armor Bryan's K-9 cops

Falco, one of the Bryan Police Department's two K-9s, sits near his handler's Kevlar vest at the Bryan Justice Center Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013. (Eagle Photo/ Stuart Villanueva) Falco, one of the Bryan Police Department's two K-9s, sits near his handler's Kevlar vest at the Bryan Justice Center Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013. (Eagle Photo/ Stuart Villanueva) Photo: Associated Press Photo: Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Aggie raises funds to armor Bryan's K-9 cops 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

BRYAN — A Texas A&M University graduate student has launched a fundraising campaign to armor K-9 dogs for the local police department.

Katie Tippett began a campaign last month to buy Kevlar vests for Kohn and Falco, the two Belgian Malinois dogs working in the Bryan Police Department.

The Eagle of Bryan-College Station reports the dogs work primarily narcotics calls but also help with foot chases, searches, tactical squad operations and burglaries.

Tippett is trying to raise almost $2,500 for the vests to protect the dogs. The vests cost about $900 each.

Falco's handler, Officer James Hauke, tells The Eagle that he's grateful the public is showing interest in protecting the dogs. In his words, "For somebody to take their time and dedicate that toward us, that's pretty impressive."