Black Hawk County K9 Officer Loki to Recieve Bullet-Proof Vest Through National Fundraiser

Press release from the Black Hawk Couty Sheriff's Office:

Loki, a 2 year old Belgian Malinois, and the newest K-9 for the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, will be receiving a vest thanks to a nationwide Groupon Event. 

A campaign through Groupon Grassroots to outfit police K9s with bullet and stab protective vests is running through March 20.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is the non-profit organization and charity partner selected by Groupon Grassroots to participate. The campaign aims to raise $95,000 by the end of the event midnight Wednesday, which will allow the organization to outfit 100 police K9s with vests throughout the United States.

People can donate to the cause by purchasing a Groupon (a tax deductible donation) at www.groupon.com/k9, where all funds are allocated to purchase ballistic vests for four-legged crime fighters.

Loki’s Biography:

Loki was imported from Poland in 2012. He began his training at Mid-Michigan Kennels prior to his placement with Deputy Matt Harris and the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office. Loki is a 2-yr old Belgian Malinois.

He is trained in narcotics detection and patrol work, including tracking, building search, article search, and suspect apprehension. Loki and Deputy Harris are currently certified by the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA).

Loki is a social and loving dog, who is trusted with Harris’s own young son. He loves going to work, especially when there is an opportunity to search. Loki is packed with energy, but in his off-time, he loves to curl up and chill out with his family.

Deputy Matt Harris has been with the BHCSO since 1997, and has worked as the K-9 handler since 2010. He has several years experience in training and handling Search and Rescue Dogs, as well as the current professional K-9 work.

About Vested Interest in K9S, Inc.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) all volunteer charity located in East Taunton, Mass. whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests for law enforcement dogs throughout the United States. Each vest costs $950.00 and has a 5 year warranty. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially life-saving body armor for their four legged K9 Officers. Through private and corporate sponsorships Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided 66 police dogs with protective vests in 2012. In September of 2012, the non-profit hit a milestone of donating $100,000 in protective vests to law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. 

The organization orders the U.S.-made vests exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, MA. who also does the custom embroidery on the body armor.

New K9 graduates as well as K9's with expired vests are eligible to be added to the organization's waiting list.

President Sandy Marcal began working with law enforcement agencies in 2000 to coordinate efforts between various law enforcement agencies, vest sponsorships, fundraising events and the media within Massachusetts. In 2011, efforts were expanded to assist police dogs throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. currently has a list of over 20 police dogs needing vests. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Tax deductible donations and event listings are via the website: www.vik9s.org.