Newtown Township Police K9 Gets New Body Armor

One of Newtown Township's public servants can rest easy while on duty, as he was given a new piece of protective equipment courtesy of a Massachusetts-based non profit that is seriously vested in protecting law enforcement.

The township's own K9 police dog, Falco, got a brand new set of body armor from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., the township's police department announced on Facebook Monday.

Falco now has a bullet and stab proof vest that will keep him safe as he works to ensure the community can feel secure.

Falco's vest was sponsored by Christina and Dean Kiser of Arcadia, Oklahoma, the department said. Embroaided on the vest is the message "From the family of Christina and Dean Kiser"

The vests come from the East Taunton, Mass. based Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non profit with a mission to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies in the nation. Since 2009, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 1,900 protective vests in 49 states at a cost of over 1.6 million dollars through donations. All vests are custom made in the U.S.

According to Vested Interest's website, K9 vests are custom fitted to each K9 and range from about $1,800 to $2,300.

For K9s to be considered to receive a vet from the organization, they must be actively employed in the United States, must be certified with his/her current handler, must be at least 20 months of age, according to the organization's website.

Image via Newtown Township Police Department