Lower Providence K9's Brutus And Kane Get Body Armor

LOWER PROVIDENCE, PA -- Thanks to a generous donation, the Lower Providence Township Police Department's K9's Brutus and Kane will be protected when serving in the field.

The bullet and stab-proof vests come thanks to charity from Vested Interest in K9'S, Inc. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers.

Brutus' vest, which comes from an anonymous donor, is embroidered with the words, "May this vest protect me and keep me from harm." Brutus, aged three, is a German Shepherd who is certified in patrol and narcotics detection.

Kane's vest, meanwhile, comes via donation in memory Sgt. Collin Rose, the of Wayne State University Police Department. The vest includes words in memory of Sgt. Rose. Kane, a four-year-old Belgian Malanois from Dudenberg, Belgium is an expert in patrol, explosive detection, and tracking.

Since its inception, Vested Interest said they had provided more than 2,400 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of More than $1.9 million.

Vests cost between $1,795 and $2,234, organizers said.

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, according to the press release. Vested Interest noted that new K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

Image via Lower Providence Police Department