Vest for Putnam K-9 With Love From New Hampshire Girl Scouts

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — One of the Sheriff’s Office’s patrol dogs, named Lex, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest donated by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The charity, which is based in Massachusetts, is on a mission to provide protective vests to canines in law enforcement around the country. The funds for Lex's vest were donated by a Girl Scout troop in New Hampshire.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies in providing the potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 members. According to the organization, it has provided over 2,600 protective vests throughout 50 states at a cost of over 2.1 million dollars, with funding raised through private and corporate donations. The organization estimates that there are 30,000 law enforcement K9s in service throughout the United States.

The funds to furnish the vest to Lex were raised and donated by Girl Scout Troop 12524 of North Hampton, New Hampshire. K9 Lex’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment, “Gifted by Girl Scout Troop 12524 North Hampton, NH.” Delivery is expected within eight to 10 weeks.

The free vest program is available for dogs that are actively employed within the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies. To be eligible, dogs must be certified as trained and be at least 20 months of age. Newer K9s, as well as longer-serving dogs with expired vests, are eligible for the program.

A vest has an average weight of 4-5 lbs.

According to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., the funds necessary to provide one protective vest with a five-year warranty for a law enforcement K9 is $950, with each vest valued between $1,744-$2,283.

For more information about Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. or to learn about volunteer opportunities or ways of supporting the organization’s efforts, call 508- 824-6978, visit the organization’s website at www.vik9s.org or write to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718. (Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is not affiliated with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and this referral is not an official endorsement of its activities.)

Information about Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is available on the website of the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General under Non-Profits and Charities.

PHOTO: Putnam County Sheriff's Office K9 Lex, shown with Deputy Sheriff Vincent Dalo, his handler./ PCSO