Lombard Police Department issued the following announcement on June 27.
Lombard Police Department’s K9 Thor will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
K9 Thor’s vest is sponsored by Lincolnwood Training Club, Inc. for German Shepherd Dogs and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Lincolnwood Training Club for Ger. Shep. Dogs”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
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 2,900 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 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.
Lombard’s K9 Officer Thor is a two-year-old German Shepherd and serves the Village after the recent retirement of Lombard’s past K9 Officer Chico. Officer Joseph Statkus serves as Thor’s handler.
“We appreciate the generous donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and the additional sponsorship by the Lincolnwood Training Club, Inc., in keeping our newest K9 safe,“ said Lombard Police Chief Roy Newton. “We are grateful to those who care not only for Lombard’s Police Officers but also our Officer’s best friend, K9 Thor. Our commitment to Lombard’s K9 program has been in place for more than 25 years.”
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.
For more information, contact Communications Coordinator Avis Meade at (630)620-5718.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Village of Lombard
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