K9 dog saved by SWAT vest during Quincy standoff

QUINCY, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – A K9 dog's life was saved by a SWAT vest in a Quincy standoff that lasted about 12 hours.

The standoff started when 32-year old bank robbery suspect Brian Kalil refused to surrender to police.

"We warned him multiple times that he needed to come out. We tried everything," Deputy Sheriff Ken Ballinger said.

When Kalil wouldn't surrender, Ballinger sent K9 Officer Blitz in. Kalil grabbed the dog and threw him over a bureau and down a flight of stairs, according to Ballinger. The dog then bounced off the roof.

Kalil was eventually captured, but Blitz suffered cuts, bruises and a puncture wound.

If it wasn't for Blitz's K9 SWAT vest, he may not have survived, Ballinger said.

"I would say for certain it prevented serious injury if not more," he said.

The vest was donated by the state Vest-A-Dog organization. Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog Founder Kathy Hinds said the organization has provided vests to some 380 dogs in the last 13 years. They also make essential K9 equipment available and offer funding for training and purchasing dogs.

Cox Media Group