Iro may be cute as only a young dog can be, but he's a powerful weapon for the Callaway County Sheriff's Office - and one the department wants to keep safe.
A vest to protect the department's new K9 from bullets and stab wounds was donated last week by Jim and Donna Wilson, a couple from Overland Park, Kansas, who founded the organization Going To The Dogs.
"We raise money to purchase ballistic vests for K9s," Donna Wilson said Friday.
These vests typically cost about $1,000, and each is made specifically for each individual dog.
"It weighs 5-7 pounds, and it's custom made to fit the dog," Wilson added. "It takes about eight weeks to get one."
The couple said they recently purchased an police dog for a law enforcement department in Marshall, and they planned to stop there on their way home to meet the dog.
"We also buy other equipment when there's a need - anywhere there's a gap," Wilson said.
It takes some time to get a K9 properly equipped.
"It's a lot of work to get to this part, but it's my favorite part," she added.
Going To The Dogs is a nonprofit organization the Wilsons formed in 2015.
"We were watching the 2014 New York Rose Bowl parade and I saw a float shaped like a German shepherd," Wilson said. "I've always been fascinated by K9s, and I also have a family history in law enforcement."
From that point, they developed their organization, which also helps buy special equipment for patrol cars, assists with retirement and veterinary care, and helps with memorials. Vests have been donated to K9s for the Missouri Highway Patrol, Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, Olathe Police Department and many others.
The Wilsons sponsor events including an upcoming golf tournament Oct. 9 in Kansas City, as well as trivia nights to raise money.
"We have private donors such as Tito's (Handmade) Vodka and the Kansas City Royals charities. I know the owner of the Royals, and it means so much to have his support," she said. "Last year we raised $40,000 and donated 10 K9 vests."
Iro, which means "hero" in Greek, joined the Callaway County Sheriff's Office and hit the streets about a month ago.
"He's already had two successful tracks in one day," Lt. Curtis Hall said. "One was almost a mile through a creek."
Iro not only tracks, he can detect drugs' even through a safe in Sheriff Clay Chism's office, which he gave clear notice about.
"He's successfully tracked and located two fugitives and tracked down evidence in a domestic," Hall said. "He does evidence recovery, narcotics - he's doing very well."
Chism said Iro will be a useful to the sheriff's office and other requesting agencies for years to come, as many as six.
"In three years, we'll explore the possibility of adding a second dog," Chism said.
People can learn more about Going To The Dogs via its website, going2thedogs.org.