Milford Police Department K9 Zeus Has Received a Bullet and Stab Protective Vest

Written by Milford Police spokesman Officer Joseph Dempsey

K9 Zeus is two-year old German Shepard handled by Officer Emily Covelli of the Milford Police Department’s K9 Unit. The K9 team graduated from the 170th Connecticut State Police K9 Training Troop in December 2014. K9 Zeus is certified as a patrol canine in areas such as evidence recovery, tracking people of interest, building searches and other law enforcement related functions.

The Milford Police Department’s K9 Zeus has received a ballistic vest thanks to a non profit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., and the 2015 VIK9s Annual Craft Fair event on March 14, 2015 in E. Taunton, MA raised $1900. K9 Zeus of Milford and K9 McGee of Jamestown, RI are the two recipients. The vests will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Kye, Oklahoma City Police Department”.

K9 Kye sacrificed his life in the line of duty in August of 2014. 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 1448 law enforcement dogs in 49 states with protective vests since 2009 at a cost of over $1.3 million dollars.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. announces their signature tank top is now available online for a $20.00 donation at www.vik9s.org. Proceeds will provide bullet and stab protective vests, for police dogs actively working without the potentially lifesaving equipment. 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.