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Oct 22, 2024

Protecting the Pups: How Vested Interest is keeping K9s safe

Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. benefit from vital donations of protective gear for their K9 officers. Several police departments, including the Will County Sheriff’s Office, Fountain Police

Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. benefit from vital donations of protective gear for their K9 officers. Several police departments, including the Will County Sheriff’s Office, Fountain Police Department, and Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, have recently received bullet and stab protective K9 body armor. This is thanks to the generosity of non-profit organizations like Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office in Joliet, IL, recently outfitted eight of its K9 officers—Lizzy, Ryker, Malice, Riggs, Loki, Cap, Shep, and Chase—with custom-fitted, NIJ-certified vests. These vests, valued at $1,800 each, are designed to protect the K9s during their five years of use. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., the organization responsible for this donation, has been a leading provider of life-saving vests for K9 officers since 2009. To date, the non-profit has supplied over 5,700 vests to law enforcement dogs across all 50 states. This has contributed nearly $6.9 million to the cause. This effort is made possible through public and private donations, helping ensure that K9s, aged at least 20 months and actively employed, remain protected in the line of duty.

In another recent donation, the Fountain Police Department in Colorado announced that their K9 unit would also receive body armor from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. This particular vest comes with a heartfelt inscription: “In Memory of Officer Julian Becerra, EOW 2/11/23,” honoring an officer who tragically died in the line of duty. Officer Becerra passed away in February 2023, after falling 40 feet from a bridge while pursuing a suspect during a high-speed chase. The donation of this protective vest serves not only as a tribute to his memory but also as a way to safeguard the department’s K9s in the future.

Similarly, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department in Michigan recently received a protective vest for their K9 officer, Cheeto. The two-year-old Belgian Malinois, who has been serving with his handler, Deputy Randall Howe, since April, was given his vest through a donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. This protective gear is crucial in ensuring Cheeto’s safety as he assists in various tasks, including handler protection, tracking, drug detection, and locating lost individuals.

The community support for K9 units extends beyond national organizations. Local efforts, such as those from the Dickinson Area Working K9 Association, have been instrumental in raising nearly $50,000 for K9 units in Dickinson County. These funds have gone toward equipping K9 teams at the sheriff’s department and Kingsford Public Safety. According to Undersheriff Chris Kuenzer, the involvement of the community has been a positive force, allowing law enforcement agencies to enhance their capabilities while fostering stronger connections with local residents.

The continued support from non-profit organizations and local associations ensures that K9 officers across the U.S. are better equipped to face the dangers of their work. Whether tracking suspects or searching for missing persons, these adorable four-legged officers now have an additional layer of protection to keep them safe.

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