Lyon County Sheriff’s Office K9 Ares to get donation of body armor

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office will be receiving a donation of a bullet and stab protective vest for one of its K9s.

The donation of the vest is coming from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., sponsored by a fundraiser hosted by Alaska K9 Center. It will be used for its K9 Ares. The vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Alaska K9 Center”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity 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. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,845 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty.

LCSO has K9s assigned to each patrol area in the county and one assigned to its drug task force.