For Immediate Release Contact: Sgt. Matt Gard
February 2nd, 2018 mjgard@lafayette.in.gov
(765) 807-1223
Lafayette Police Department K9’s Rocky & Cezar have received body armor
Two Lafayette Police Department K9’s Rocky & Cezar, have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Rocky’s vest was sponsored by Tracy Voss of Munster, IN and embroidered with the sentiment “Born to love - Trained to serve - Loyal Always”. K9 Cezar’s vest was sponsored by an Anonymous Sponsor and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Moria.”
“On behalf of Rocky, I want to give special thanks to the very generous donor, Tracy Voss, and also the people at Vested Interest in K9s. Without them we wouldn't have the added protection that they so graciously provided for Rocky. We are forever grateful.”
Officer Austin Schutter
“K9 Cezar and I would like to thank Vested Interest K9 for their generous donation. Cezar’s vest will go a long way in keeping him safe during our deployments. “
Officer Grant Leroux
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. 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 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.
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.
Sergeant Matt Gard
Community Outreach & Crime Prevention