Milford Police Department’s K9 Zar to Get Donation of Body Armor

MILFORD, CT — The Milford Police Department’s K9 “Zar” has been awarded a ballistic vest thanks to a nonprofit organization, Vested Interest in K9s Inc. K9 Zar is a 4.5 year old German Shepherd, certified in Patrol work, and assigned to Officer Sean Owens of the Milford CT Police Department.

K9 Zar became a member of the Milford, Connecticut Police Department in December 2014 upon completing his training. K9 Zar is full of personality, enjoys playing with his Kong when he is home, going for walks, and patrolling the City of Milford on evening shift with his handler.

He especially enjoys challenging tracks leading to suspect apprehension and evidence recovery, both of which he has proven extremely successful at, to date. K9 Zar is a hard worker on the job and a faithful protector in the home. (To sign up for Milford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Milford Police Department’s K9 Zar will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Zar’s vest is sponsored by a fundraiser hosted by Thin Blue Line USA and Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

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.

The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,000 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 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 $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283 and 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 denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.