The Hinds County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi will equip its K-9 officer, Deuce, with a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., the sheriff’s office said.
The vest was sponsored by a fundraiser organized by Catherine Cavicchi of Kingston, Massachusetts, and will be embroidered with the message “In memory of Robert D. Clavin.” Delivery is expected within 10 weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, founded in 2009, is a charity that provides protective vests and other support to law enforcement dogs across the United States. The vests are U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and certified by the National Institute of Justice.
Since its founding, the organization has supplied more than 6,225 vests valued at $6.9 million to police K-9s nationwide, funded by private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. law enforcement K-9s that are at least 20 months old, actively working, and certified. Dogs with expired vests are also eligible.
There are approximately 30,000 law enforcement K-9s across the country. Donations are tax-deductible, with $1,050 sponsoring one vest valued at $1,800. Each vest weighs about 4 to 5 pounds and includes a five-year warranty.
For more information or volunteer opportunities, call (508) 824-6978 or visit www.vik9s.org. Contributions can also be mailed to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, Massachusetts.
