Muscatine Police Department K9 Six is getting some extra protection on the job.
K9 Six will receive a bullet- and stab-protective vest through a charitable donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a nonprofit that provides protective equipment to law enforcement K9s across the country.
The custom-fitted vest will be embroidered with the message “Honoring those who served and sacrificed.” Delivery is expected within the next 10 weeks.
Founded in 2009, Vested Interest in K9s provides U.S.-made, National Institute of Justice-certified protective vests to working law enforcement dogs. The organization says it has provided more than 6,677 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states through private and corporate donations.
Each vest is valued at about $1,800, weighs approximately 4 to 5 pounds and comes with a five-year warranty.
The organization estimates there are about 30,000 law enforcement K9s working throughout the United States. Donations help provide protective equipment to eligible K9s that are actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.
For more information about Vested Interest in K9s or to support its work, visit vik9s.org.
