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| Deputy Matthew Moran pictured with his K9 partner Kane |
GENESEO: Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports that Livingston
County Sheriff’s K9 Kane is scheduled to receive body armor.
K9 Kane will receive a bullet and stab protective vest
thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in
K9s, Inc. K9 Kane’s vest is sponsored by an anonymous sponsor and will be
embroidered with the sentiment “Only the best protection for man's best
friend”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located
in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective
vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies
throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist
law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their
four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
provided over 2,700 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and
corporate donations, at a cost of over 2.3 million dollars.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S.
with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20
months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are
eligible to participate.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law
enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283 and a
five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated
30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information
or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested
Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts
tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O.
Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
“We are very pleased that a Livingston County resident
donated money to Vested Interest to purchase a vest to protect Kane,"
stated Deputy Matthew Moran, K9 Kane’s handler. "Kane works hard every day
and as his handler and best friend it is nice knowing he’ll have this added
protection.”
