COEUR d'ALENE — Deuce has been involved in about 150 felony arrests this year and about 25 captures of suspects resisting arrest.

Lord has been involved in about 30 felony arrests over the past two months and about 10 suspect captures.

Not bad for a couple of dogs.

The two Belgian Malinois are "invaluable" members of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office K-9 units.

They can detect drugs, catch criminals, track lost people and sniff out evidence.

“They’re incredible dogs," said Dawna Shepard, president of the Coeur d'Alene Dog Fanciers that on Wednesday donated $3,600 to the K-9 teams. "They do a valuable service to our community.”

Both dogs were wearing muzzles and bulletproof vests when the group presented the check at the KCSO.

The custom-fitted vests last about five years, cost $3,500 each and aren't standard equipment, but are funded via donations.

Deuce's partner, Deputy Robert Imthurn, said his canine companion since June of 2021 is a great crimefighter.

Deuce will need a new one in about two and a half years and it's critical that he has protective gear, Imthurn said, as they sometimes pursue violent suspects with weapons.

At 69 pounds, Deuce is intimidating and few want to face him, quickly giving up when told if they don't surrender, he'll be coming for them.

"They are vital to our high-risk stuff," Imthurn said.

Likewise for Lord, whose partner is Deputy Gabriel Joling. Forty-two pound Lord recently got his vest.

"It makes the unit run and it keeps them in service," Joling said. "It really, really helps."

The donation from folks like Coeur d'Alene Dog Fanciers provides funds for vests, muzzles and collars for their canine partners.

"They're a great tool, but great tools have high needs," said Joling, who has been Lord's handler about six months.

Undersheriff Brett Nelson appreciates the donation and the community's strong support of KCSO, which has four K-9 units.

"It’s very rewarding," he said.

The county's investment in crime-fighting canines is substantial. A dog and training can cost around $25,000.

But they are well worth it, Nelson said. They respond to about five to 10 calls a day, including for other agencies, and are what Nelson called a "force multiplier," capable of multiple tasks, from detection to apprehension and finding a missing person.

"It's not always going after bad guys," Nelson said.

The Coeur d'Alene Dog Fanciers wanted to help after hearing the K-9 units had to buy their own protective gear. They raised money through training classes, drawings and at its recent Christmas party auction.

"Our goal was to collect enough funds to allow the Local Kootenai County Sheriff's K-9 unit the ability to purchase equipment that they are in dire need of," wrote member Deborah Mansfied.

Silent auction contributors included Mountain View Veterinary Clinic; Hayden Pet Medical Center; Breakthrough Martial Arts and Pawpular Companions Pet Supplies.

Their combined donations totaled over $1,300 dollars, Mansfield said.