The Southaven Police Department in Mississippi will equip its K9 officers, Raptor and Zargo, with bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a donation from the nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
The vests are sponsored by the organization and will be embroidered with the message “In memory of K9 Luca, DeSoto County, MS – EOW 2/21/24.” Delivery is expected within 10 weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, founded in 2009, is a charity that provides body armor and other support to law enforcement K9s across the U.S. Since its founding, the organization has donated more than 6,225 vests valued at $6.9 million.
The vests are U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and certified by the National Institute of Justice. The program is open to active law enforcement K9s at least 20 months old, including those with expired vests.
There are approximately 30,000 law enforcement K9s nationwide. Donations of any size are accepted, with $1,050 sponsoring one vest valued at $1,800. Each vest weighs about 4 to 5 pounds and comes with a five-year warranty.
For more information or to donate, visit www.vik9s.org or call (508) 824-6978.
