K9 Otto receives donation of body armor
Provided photo: Otto, a K9 for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, is a 3-year-old German Shepard from Holland. Otto has been serving with the Sheriff’s Office since Oct.13, 2016.
Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff’s Office K9 Otto has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest was sponsored by Staten Island Companion Dog Training Club and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by SICDTC, Staten Island, NY.”
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA with a mission to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.
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. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,000 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies. The dogs must be certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
“Many thanks to Vested Interest in K9’s, Inc. for their gift,” said Sheriff Randy Bower. “We are thrilled to have received a Body Armor Vest for K9 Otto’s protection during service.”
