Crime & Safety
Murrieta Police K9 Outfitted With Body Armor
"Rocky" is the Murrieta Police Department's only certified SWAT K9.
MURRIETA, CA — Murrieta Police Department's K9 Rocky has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc. K9 Rocky's vest was sponsored by Roseann Kennedy of CA and is embroidered with the sentiment "Be Safe, from Roseann Kennedy and D.O.G."
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 with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,600 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 2.1 million dollars.
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 of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests are eligible to participate.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050.00. Each vest has a value between $1,795.00-$2,234.00, a five year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denominations at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
K9 Rocky is a seven year old Belgian Malinois. He is certified in Patrol and Narcotics. Rocky is also the departments only certified SWAT K9.
Rocky in one of five Police Service Dogs employed by the Murrieta Police Department. The team consists of four patrol dogs and one bloodhound. All five Police Service Dogs have been awarded body armor from Vested Interest in K9s. Rocky is the first dog to receive a vest.
— SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: Murrieta Police Department
