North Branford Police Canine Receives Ballistic Vest

The North Branford Police Department’s K9 Hanz has been awarded a ballistic vest thanks to the nonprofit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., and Connecticut Color Breed Association fundraiser for Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. in Glastonbury.

The vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”

Sgt. Mario Bernardo has been paired with his K9 partner Hanz since 2013. Hanz is a two-year-old German shepherd and graduated from the Connecticut State Police K-9 Academy in Decemeber 2013 after 16 weeks of extensive training.

Bernardo and Hanz have been involved in several felony arrests and are available 24/7 to assist the North Branford Police Department as well as departments in surrounding towns.

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 $1,050. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided more than 1,420 law enforcement dogs in 49 states with protective vests since 2009 at a cost of more than $1.3 million.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. announces their signature tank top is now available online for a $20 donation at www.vik9s.org. Proceeds will provide bullet and stab protective vests, for police dogs that are working without the potentially lifesaving equipment.

The organization orders the U.S. made vests exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, MA that also does the custom embroidery on the body armor. Vests are manufactured 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.

Tax deductible donations accepted via mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718 or the website: www.vik9s.org.

Photo: North Branford police dog Hanz. Credit: www.townofnorthbranfordct.com.