GPD’s K9 Cain to receive body armor via donation

Courtesy photo Greencastle Officer Kyle Lee and his K9 partner, Cain, are now patrolling the city.

Thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, the new Greencastle Police Department K9, Cain, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest.

K9 Cain’s vest is sponsored by an anonymous donor and will be embroidered with the sentiment, “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s Inc.” Delivery is expected within eight to 10 weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, Mass., 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 K9 officers.

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s has provided more than 2,100 protective vests in 50 states through private and corporate donations, at a cost of more than $1.9 million.

All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, Mich.

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 $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 and $2,234 and a five-year warranty. The vests weigh an average of 4-5 pounds.

An estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s are on duty throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s 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.