ALLEGAN, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – K9 Lajki is a two year old German Shepard from Poland, Germany who will be donning a new bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation.
K9 Lajki has been with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office since 2017. The donation comes from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.
Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,700 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 2.3 million dollars. 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.
Deputy Mike Martin, Lajki’s handler, is extremely grateful for receiving this vest and says the vest will help keep Lajki safe on the job and is the first for their office. K9 Lajki’s vest is sponsored by an Anonymous Sponsor and will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
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 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 lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
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 atwww.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
