Canisteo Police Department's K9 Dex has received a bullet
and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit
organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest was sponsored by Patti and
Dan Fritz of Colonie, NY and embroidered with the sentiment "Honoring
those who served and sacrificed".
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 3,500 U.S. made, custom fitted, NIJ certified protective vests in
50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $6.9 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.
