Rock Valley, Iowa — The Rock Valley Police Department’s dog will soon get some protective equipment, thanks to a non-profit organization.
The Rock Valley Police Department’s K9, Gus, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Gus’s vest is sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
A representative with Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., says the organization was established in 2009. They tell us their 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 representative tells us the potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. They tell us that since the organization was started, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided nearly 5,300 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
If you know of a police dog that could use a protective vest, they tell us the program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States, according to the organization.
For more information, or to donate to help provide vests for police dogs, you can go to www.vik9s.org.
