Franklin County Sheriff’s Office K9 Diego to get bullet and stab protective vest

Sheriff Donald Jones would like to announce the receipt of the following grant.  Jones states that the addition of the K9 ballistic vest will help ensure the safety of K9 Diego.

BENTON – Franklin County Sheriff’s Office K9 Diego will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from a non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Diego’s vest is sponsored by Macy’s and will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Macy’s”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office K-9  Deigo, will receive bullet and stab protective vest.  (Photo Provided)

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,800 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 2.4 million dollars.

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. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.