Wilmington K9 officer to get protective vest from non-profit

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — K9 Blu with the Wilmington Police Department will receive a bullet and stab protective vest. A non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc., donated the vest, which will arrive within ten weeks.

The custom fitted vest is U.S. made, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified.

The vest is sponsored by Don and Misty Fike of Galesburg, Illinois and will be embroidered with “Born to Love — Trained to Serve — Loyal Always.”

Vested Interest in K9s is a 510(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide assistance, including bullet and stab protective vests, to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the nation.

Since being established in 2009, the non-profit has provided over 6,120 vests valued at $6.9 million, to K9s in all 50 states.

U.S. dogs at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies are eligible for the program. K9s with expired vests can also participate.

Each vest comes with a five-year warranty has a value of $1,800 and weighs roughly 4-5 pounds.

For more information or how to volunteer, visit their website.