Burgaw police K9 Omen to receive protective vest through charitable donation

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — The Burgaw Police Department says K9 Omen will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

According to the department, the vest was sponsored by Barbara Steinberg of the Steinberg Family Foundation in Paramus, New Jersey, and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by the Steinberg Family Foundation.” Delivery is expected within 10 weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charity established in 2009, works to provide protective vests and other assistance to law enforcement dogs across the United States. The organization says the body armor is U.S.-made, custom fitted and certified by the National Institute of Justice.

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. says it has provided more than 6,348 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states through private and corporate donations.

The organization says the program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old, actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. Dogs with expired vests are also eligible. The group estimates there are about 30,000 law enforcement K9s nationwide.