Farmington K9 Receives Ballistic Vest

When he responds to incidents, the Farmington Police Department’s K9 Ryker will now be protected, thanks to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and the Farmington Community Chest.

Ryker has recently received a ballistic vest that is bullet and stab protective.

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 and has a five 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. has provided over 1,407 law enforcement dogs in 49 states with protective vests since 2009 - at a cost of over $1.3 million dollars.

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 K9s with expired vests are eligible to participate. The program is open to law enforcement dogs who are U.S. employed, certified, and at least 19 months of age.

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978 or visit www.vik9s.org.

Photos courtesy of the Farmington Police Department Facebook page.