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Cloverdale K9 'Chewy' to receive body armor
CLOVERDALE -- Chewbacca, the Cloverdale Police Department K9, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a charitable donation.
Received from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc., Chewbacca's vest is sponsored by Alaska K9 Center in North Pole, Alaska, and will be embroidered with the sentiment, "This gift of protection provided by Alaska K9 Center."
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 four-legged K9 officers.
Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s Inc. provided more than 1,700 protective vests, in 49 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of more than $1.6 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 to $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 pounds. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, persons may 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.
K9 Chewbacca "Chewy" is a thee-year-old German Shepherd, who is certified as a dual-purpose police K9 in patrol and narcotics work.
He has been assigned to Sgt. Charlie Hallam since May 2014 when the Cloverdale Police Department assigned the K9 team and began their formal training.
Chewbacca is the Cloverdale Police Department's second K9 (the first K9 Alec, 1999-2007) to the department and to Sgt. Hallam.
K9 Chewy was purchased from Von Bernd Kennels, Rockville. K9 Chewbacca quickly mastered his K9 training and loves going to work. He enjoys showing off his working skills during demonstrations to area schools, clubs or other community projects/events. He has sent a strong message to the criminal element in the area that he is a dedicated police K9 and enjoys the training and challenges the trainer's and handler present to be an aggressive K9 team to the community we protect and serve.
"This K9 vest will be a valuable asset to the Cloverdale Police Department K9 Team and will protect K9 Chewy while at work," Sgt. Hallam said. "We are grateful for Vested Interest in K9s Inc. for their support in keeping K9's safe throughout the country and appreciate the Alaska K9 Center for sponsoring this opportunity for our K9 team."
The Cloverdale Police Department's K9 Team is funded by 100 percent donations and public support. Donations are accepted at the Cloverdale Town Hall and/or Cloverdale Police Department. Advise that it is for the Police K9 Fund.
To schedule K9 Team community events or K9 questions, persons may call Sgt. Hallam, 765-795-3800, Ext. 2.