Sheriff’s K-9s look doggone sharp in donated vests
The Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office K-9 team has been outfitted with new protective gear thanks to a charitable donation, the office said.
Six K-9 unit dogs received new vests designed to protect them from bullet and stab wounds, officials said.
The non-profit Vested Interest in K9s Inc., whose mission is to provide protective vests and other assistance to police dogs throughout the United States, provided the equipment, the Sheriff’s Office said.
K-9s Karl, Ryker, Bach, Hero, Osa and Bull received a bullet and stab protective vest, each embroidered differently.
Bull’s vest was sponsored by Petra Keller of Washoe Valley, Nevada, the
Sheriff’s Office said.
The others were sponsored anonymously, MSCO said.
Each will include words honoring someone or another K-9 dog.
According to the MSCO, one protective vest for a law-enforcement K-9 is $950.
Vested Interest has provided more than 2,600 vests for dogs since its inception in 2009, thanks to more than $2.1 million in donations.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the United States with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age, MCSO said. New K-9 graduates, as well as K-9s with expired vests, are eligible.
For information about the program or to make a donation, visit the organization’s website at vik9s.org.