Murrieta K9, “Rocky” wearing a bullet-and-stab safety vest

Murrieta police K-9 Rocky, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, is the first of five police dogs to receive his bullet- and stab-safe vest thanks to a charitable donation from a nonprofit group based in Massachusetts, according to the Press Enterprise.

The remaining members of the K-9 team — three patrol dogs and a bloodhound — will be receiving their vests soon. Murrieta police Lt. Jon Flavin said the delivery dates depend on when the manufacturer makes them.

The vests cost from $1,795 to $2,234, but they are donated by the organization. The vests weigh about 4 to 5 pounds.

Vested Interest in K9s is a charity in East Taunton, Mass., that provides the vests to dogs working for public safety agencies. So far the organization has provided vests to more than 2,600 dogs across 50 states at a cost of more than $2.1 million.

The program is open to dogs from law enforcement and related agencies who are at least 20-months-old. Recent K-9 graduates, as well as dogs that have expired vests, can participate.