K-9 Duke of the Enfield Police Department donated body armor

ENFIELD, CT. (WWLP) – K-9 Duke of the Enfield Police Department has been donated a bullet and stab protective vest from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity established in 2009 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, according to the Enfield Police Department. The non-profit has provided over 5,435 vests to K-9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, which was made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to any dogs in the United States that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K-9s that have expired vests are also eligible to participate.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s throughout the United States, and not all of them have protective vests. Each vest has a value of $1,800, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty.

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