Police Dog Gets Free Bulletproof Vest

From the Channahon Police Department

CHANNAHON, IL — Hutch, the Channahon Police Department’s dog, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s. Hutch’s vest is sponsored by an anonymous donor and will be embroidered with the sentiment, “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc." Delivery is expected within eight to 10 weeks.

“The support we have received from this donation, as well as that of the Channahon community, is what makes our K9 Unit successful, said Channahon Deputy Police Chief Adam Bogart.

Vested Interest in K9s is located in East Taunton, Massachusetts. Its 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 nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s provided over 2,300 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over $1.9 million. All vests are custom made in Central Lake, Michigan, by Armor Express.

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 old. New police dogs and dogs with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement dog is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 and $2,234, and a five-year warranty.

image via Channahon Police Department