K9s Receive Life-Saving Donation Of Bulletproof, Stabproof Vests

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Eight K9s with the Howard County Police Department have received a donation of body armor.

HCPD K9s Blade, Bronx, Duke, Falco, Max, Murph, Pegy and Titan have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., according to the HCPD. All the vests were sponsored by Don and Misty Fike of Galesburg, Illinois, and embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love- Trained to Serve-Loyal Always.”

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity 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. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted and National Institute of Justice certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided more than 6,225 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs 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.

Photos courtesy of Howard County Police Department