K-9 Elwood of the Springfield Fire Arson and Bomb Squad receives body armor donation

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield Fire Arson and Bomb Squad’s K-9 Elwood received a donation of body armor from a local non-profit organization.

According to the Springfield Fire Department, K-9 Elwood received a bullet and stab protective vest from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. , 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.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,794 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. They donated a bullet and stab protective vest to K-9 Elwood that will have the sentiment “In memory of Sonic – Loyal Companion”. These vests are made to protect law enforcement K-9s when they are out protecting our community.

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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