The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office K9s Odin and Kane have been awarded ballistic vests thanks to nonprofit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. a Massachusetts based nonprofit organization, and Armor Express, a Michigan based manufacturer. Armor Express of Central Lake, MI. has an incentive program for every 15 vests purchased by the charity, a free vest was awarded . Vests were donated to K9’s in Illinois, Iowa, Texas, and Georgia. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a SOle (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA. whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests for law enforcement dogs throughout the United States. Each vest costs $950.00 and has a 5 year warranty. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four legged K9 officers.
The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office has had a K9 program since 1974; Sheriff Scott went to the St. Louis
Police Academy with the County’s first K9 Rex Von Victor. A second K9 Prince of Fortune was added to the DeKalb County program in 1975. The Sheriff’s Office has the oldest continual K9 program in Northern Illinois outside of Chicago PD. The Sheriff’s Office K9 program is available to all law enforcement agencies 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Deputy Toby Jennings and K9 Kane have been working together since 2009 and Deputy Jason Johnson and K9 Odin have been working since May of 2014. Both of the Sheriff’s Office K9 teams attended a 10 week Basic Canine Training Program through the Illinois State Police. The teams are trained to detect the odor of narcotics, conduct field searches, building searches, evidence searches, crowd control and to track for lost or missing persons as ell as handler protection. Every six months the K9 teams travel to Springfield to re-certify in each category.
Through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 1223 law enforcement dogs with protective vests since their inception in August of 2009. Over $1.1 million has been donated for K9 vests in 40 states including Alaska and Hawaii.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. announces their 7″ plush stuffed German Shepherd K9 Hero, “Cesar”, and company ambassador of Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. now for sale online for $15 at www.vik9s.org . Proceeds from the sales will provide bullet and stab protective vests, for police dogs actively working without the potentially lifesaving equipment.
New K9 graduates as well as K9’s with expired vests are eligible to apply for the ballistic vests. The program is open to US employed and certified K9’s who are at least 19 months of age. Information may be found by visiting the website www.vik9s.org or calling 508-824-6978. Donations may be made by mail at Vested Interest in K9’s PO Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718. You may also may donations through their website at www.vik9s.org.
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