SEASIDE - They're known as super cops on four legs and they tend to take a bite out of crime.
We're talking about canines who help patrol our streets every day.
Seaside Officer Manuel Fernandez has Brago Kuriman, his four-legged partner in crime.
He tags along with Officer Fernandez to work and back every day.
He's just one canine in Monterey county fighting crime in ways officers can't.
"Their sense of smell, hearing, speed is much more faster than ours is," Officer Fernandez said. "He's going to be able to smell the drugs and pinpoint to their locations."
Brago helps save lives, rescue missing children, and bring criminals to justice, even at the cost of his own life.
"Some people will automatically react to the dog being there and try to either kick the dog or push it, or stab it, or shoot it just like they would try to assault us, not realizing that the dog is not going to harm them unless they do something to one of us," Officer Fernandez said.
But even though Officer Fernandez said words can't describe how crucial his canine is to fighting crime, there's only about a dozen dogs serving 18 agencies.
To have the backup on the streets is expensive to maintain.
Canines can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 a year at the minimum.
They rely heavily on donations and grants.
And that's why Central Coast News is hosting the Policeman's Ball at the Perry House in Monterey on Thursday.
We're raising money to pay for a canine for the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.
