Police Department K-9 Vested Up After Body Armor Donation

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Bolingbrook Police Department's K-9 Ava is now equipped with a bullet and stab-protective vest after a donation from a non-profit organization, officials announced Tuesday.

Donated by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. — whose mission is to provide protective vests for law enforcement dogs — and sponsored by Tom Infante of Cold Spring, Ky., the vest is embroidered with "Born to Love, Trained to Serve, Loyal Always."

The non-profit has provided more than 4,300 vests to K-9s in all 50 states, according to a news release. The program is open to dogs in the country that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified by a law enforcement agency.

To sponsor a vest costs $960 — and they're valued between $1,744 and $2,283, weighing an average of 4 to 5 lbs — and Vested Interest accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount. Donations can be on their website or by mail to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

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