Bulletproof Vests Donated For St. Petersburg Police K9s

ST. PETERSBURG, FL —St. Petersburg Police Department's K9s Johnny, Bane and Stark have received donations of body armor, a police news release said.

A non-profit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., gave bullet and stab protective vests to the St. Pete police K9s.

The vests were sponsored by 2019 Fallen K9 Hero fundraiser hosted by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Each safety vest is embroidered with the phrase: "This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc."

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity 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 program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old, actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States, said police.