The Lima PoliceDepartment K9s Bailey, Bern,
Rocky and Diego have been awarded a ballistic vest thanks to a nonprofit
organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.,is a Massachusetts based nonprofit
organization and Armor Express, a Michigan based manufacturer. An incentive
program offered by Armor Express of Central Lake, MI. to Vested Interest in
K9s, Inc. has provided 19 law enforcement dogs in the 8 states with ballistic
vests. For every 15 vests purchased by the charity, a free vest was awarded.
Vests were donated to K9's in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, New Mexico,
Ohio, Minnesota, Texas and South Carolina.
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 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 life saving body armor for their four legged K9 officers. Through
private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided
over 930 law enforcement dogs with protective vests since their inception in
August of 2009. Over $880,000 in K9 vests have been donated in 39 states
including Alaska and Hawaii.
The organization orders
the Armor Express vests made in Central Lake, MI exclusively from distributor
Regency Supply in Hyannis, MA. who also does the custom embroidery on the body
armor.
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.
For more information
visit www.vik9s.org or call 508-824-6978. Donations by mail to
Vested Interest in K9's P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA. 02718 or via the website.
Here is a short BIO about each dog who will be
receiving a vest:
Bailey: K-9 Bailey is a 5 year old German
Shepherd. He is narcotic / patrol certified and has been assigned to Sgt.
Nick Hart since 2010. He was purchased from Vonderhaus Gill in Uniopolis
Ohio. Bailey loves his job and is a top narcotics detector K-9 in the
area. K-9 Bailey has 189 criminal apprehensions resulting in more than
230 criminal charges.
Bern: K-9 Bern is a 6.5 year old German
Shepherd and imported from overseas. He was purchased from Vonderhaus
Gill in Uniopolis in 2010. He is a dual purpose K9 certified in patrol
and narcotics. Bern is assigned to Patrolman John Dunham. This is
the 2nd K9 that Patrolman Dunham has had. K-9 Bern loves to go for walks
and car rides when he is not working, and loves to play with kong toys!
Diego: K-9 Diego is a 3.5 year old German
Shepherd. He is certified in patrol and narcotics and is assigned to
Patrolman Amy Glanemann. Diego was purchased from Vonderhaus Gill in
Uniopolis in 2013. Diego has a strong dislike for suspects attempting to hurt
his handler and suspects trying to flee.
