K-9 Roxy Ready for Action

Image courtesy of the News Tribune
The Putnam County Sherriff’s Office K-9 Roxy will be receiving a ballistic vest thanks to a nationwide Groupon Event that raised more than $335,000.

“K-9 Roxy and I appreciate the donations people made to be able to receive these important vests. This vest will provide safety for K-9 Roxy while she tracks suspects,” said Putnam County Deputy Jacob Frund, K-9 Roxy’s handler.

The “Occasions “ campaign for Groupon Grassroots, partnered with Vested Interest in K-9s, to outfit police K-9s with bullet and stab protective vests ran Feb. 15 through March 5.

The online $10 donation suggested interested persons purchase a Groupon — a tax deductible donation — through the secure website where all funds were allocated to purchase ballistic vests for four-legged crime fighters who put their lives on the line for the community and their partner.

Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc., a nationwide non-profit organization and charity, will be providing over 350 law enforcement dogs nationwide with the protective body armor in memory of K-9 Rocco of the Pittsburgh Police Department who sacrificed his life in the line of duty in January of 2014. All vests will be embroidered with the sentiment: “In Memory of K-9 Rocco, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.”

New K-9 graduates as well as K9’s with expired vests are eligible to participate. The program is open to law enforcement dogs who are U.S. employed, certified and at leas.t 19 months of age. Each vest costs $950.00 and has a five-year warranty.

Through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc. provided more than 1,349 law enforcement dogs in 49 states with protective vests since 2009 at a cost of more than $1.2 million.

The organization orders the U.S.-made vests exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, Mass. Regency Police Supply also does the custom embroidery on the body armor.

In 2013, Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc., whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the U.S., also partnered with Groupon in past years, and was named as one of “The Best of 2013” campaigns.

The nonprofit organization raised $537.33 in just one week to provide ballistic vests for 163 law enforcement dogs in 30 states.

There are an estimated 30,000 police dogs throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc. also announced their 7” plush stuffed German Shepherd K-9 Hero, “Cesar”, and company ambassador of Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. now for sale online for $15.00 at www.vik9s.org. Proceeds will go toward the vest program.

Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc a 501c (3) organization, located in East Taunton, Mass., is still accepting donations through their website: www.vik9s.org and via mail P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four legged K-9 Officers.

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call (508) 824-6978, or visit the above website.

Source: News Tribune