DeKalb Police Department’s K9 “Tac” will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Tac’s vest is sponsored by Barney’s Friends of Hoffman Estates, IL and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Donated by: Barney’s Friends”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
DeKalb Police K9 Tac is a 4 year old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix from Slovakia. K9 Tac is handled by Officer Aaron Gates, a 9 year veteran with the DeKalb Police Department. K9 Tac has been partnered with Officer Gates since August of 2013. K9 Tac is trained in narcotics detection, tracking, article finds and criminal apprehension. K9 Tac has been successful in his patrol duties and is an asset to the DeKalb Police Department.
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 2,000 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 1.7 million dollars. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.
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 $1,050.00. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 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.
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