K9 Lennox Gets New Protective Vest

MASSACHUSETTS — Another trooper on the front lines of protecting us from harm will be be more protected from harm himself. K9 Lennox, who's on the Massachusetts State Police's K9 West squad, just received a much-needed bullet and stab protective fest.

The charity Vested Interest in K9s, located in East Taunton, has a mission 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 help out agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, provided more 2,400 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of more than 1.9 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 $1,050, continues the announcement.

There are an about 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Photo: K9 Lennox is the partner of Trooper Stephen Burgess, assigned to the Massachusetts State Police K9 Section’s West Team. Credit: Massachusetts State Police