KOKOMO, Ind. — Vested Interest in K-9s Inc. has donated three protective vests to the Kokomo Police Department.
The three KPD K-9s that will be receiving the vests are Baddy, Perec and Rinn. The vests will shield the K-9s from bullets and potential stabbing attempts.
The vest donation was sponsored by Charles Conwell of the Conwell Family Memorial In LaPorte. The donated vests will be embroidered with the phrase "In memory of Gary F. Conwell."
KPD will receive the donated vests in about 10 weeks.
Vested Interest in K-9s Inc. is a non-profit that was established in 2009. Its mission is to provide protective vests to K-9s that assist law enforcement and other similar agencies across the country.
Vested Interest in K-9s has provided more than 5,837 vests to K-9s across all 50 states in the U.S. The value of all the donated vests is estimated to be about $6.9 million.
Every Vested Interest in K-9s vest is valued at around $1,800. One donation of $985 is enough to sponsor one vest.
All Vested Interest in K-9s vests weigh between four and five pounds and come with five-year warranties.
The program Vested Interest in K-9s is open to dogs in the U.S. who are at least 20 months old and actively working for a law enforcement or similar agency. K-9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate in the program.
For more information on Vested Interest in K-9s, click here.