Photos of police dogs from Lake, Jasper and Newton counties can be found among companions serving in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, Alabama, California and beyond.

The winning dog and handler duo will receive a $300 donation to their K-9 unit and will be featured on a banner and tent cover for the organization, Protecting K9 Heroes.

Region dogs include Jax, a German shepherd, who works for the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and Match, a German shepherd, who serves the St. John Police Department.

German shepherd Tank, of the Winfield Police Department, and black Lab Kolt, of the Dyer Police Department, are also representing Northwest Indiana canines.

In addition, contestants include Batman, a black mini schnauzer, who serves the Newton County Drug Task Force and Colt, a German shepherd, who serves the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.

People can vote by visiting the “Protecting K9 Heroes” Facebook page and “liking” the photo of the police dog of their choice in the “K9 of the Year Candidates” photo album. People can vote for more than one police dog but they can only vote for the same police dog once. Voting ends at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Protecting K9 Heroes is a nonprofit, national organization that provides police dogs with ballistic vests and other safety equipment to lessen the number of canines who are killed or injured in the line of duty.

Gallery: Pets of the Week