Sacramento Sheriff K9s Getting New Life-Saving Kits

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Sacramento County Sheriff's Department K9s have new life-saving kits thanks to a non-profit group.

The Police and Working K9 Foundation has given each handler a stat pack, containing specialized pads to stop bleeding.

Dogs only have about a gallon of blood, so in an emergency, every second counts.

"If they sever an artery or have some kind of bleeding injury, that one gallon goes very very quickly," said Louis Tully with the foundation.

Sheriff K9 Drago was shot in the line of duty back in 2013. He has since recovered, and K9 handlers are thankful that such kits will be available to the department's dogs.

"We never want to go through it again, obviously. But if we have it, it gives me a lot more confidence that I'll be able to help him get through the situation," said Deputy John Halk.

Fundraisers are scheduled Saturday and Sunday at all Pet Food Express stores to help get every K9 team in the Sacramento-area the kits.