SSPD K-9 To Receive Bullet, Stab-Protective Vest

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- A fundraiser hosted by a sports bar in Buford will allow a canine officer with the Sandy Springs Police Department have an extra layer of protection while working the streets. K-9 Falco will receive a bullet and stab-protective vest via donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a nonprofit organization that works to protect dogs that are employed as peace officers.

K-9 Falco's vest is sponsored by a fundraiser hosted by Derby Sports Bar in Buford, and will be embroidered with the sentiment, “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always." Delivery of the vest is expected within eight to 10 weeks, Sandy Springs police said.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a Massachusetts-based organization 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 nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,700 protective vests in 50 states through private and corporate donations, at a cost of more than $2.1 million.

The program is open to certified dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies and are at least 20 months of age. New K-9 graduates, as well as K-9's with expired vests, are eligible to participate. The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K-9 is $950.

Each vest is valued between $1,744 and $2,283, comes with a five-year warranty and weighs between 4 and 5 pounds. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 508-824-6978 or visit www.vik9s.org.

Image via Sandy Springs Police Department