BEDFORD – K9 Castiel of the Bedford Police Department is now protected with a bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a generous donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a non-profit organization.
The vest, sponsored by the organization, is embroidered with “In memory of K9 Kira, Edinburg, IN -EOW 2/4/24”.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., founded in 2009, is dedicated to providing protective vests and other support to law enforcement K9s nationwide. The U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and NIJ-certified vests are potentially life-saving for these four-legged officers. Since its inception, the organization has donated over 5,918 vests, valued at $6.9 million, across all 50 states.
The program is available to U.S. law enforcement K9s at least 20 months old, actively employed, and certified. K9s with expired vests are also eligible. With an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s in the U.S., the need for such protection is significant.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. welcomes tax-deductible donations of any amount. A $1,050 donation sponsors a single vest with a $1,800 value, weighs 4-5 lbs on average, and comes with a five-year warranty.
.png)
