The Smithville Police Department K9 officer Leo has received a ballistic vest thanks to a non profit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. $16,595.00 was donated to the charity from the K9 Kota Campaign, which will provide vests for seventeen K9s in KY, OH, NJ, CA and IN. The K9 Kota Campaign held an online event selling over 1350 tee shirts for the cause.
K9 Kota is a law enforcement dog with the Winchester Police Department in VA who sustained a work related injury on January 3, 2014. He fell through an attic floor onto a hardwood floor while detaining a suspect. Although the injury was severe to his right front arm, Kota climbed back up the flight of stairs to continue the fight. After months of surgery and physical therapy his return to police work is still unknown.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA. 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. 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 over 930 law enforcement dogs in 39 states with protective vests since 2009 at a cost of $880,000.
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. Vests are manufacturer by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.
New K9 graduates as well as K9's with expired vests are eligible to participate. The program is open to law enforcement dogs who are US employed, certified and at least 19 months of age.
For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Tax deductible donations accepted via mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718 or via the website: www.vik9s.org.
