VOM Police Department’s K9 Vincent to get Donation of Body Armor

Village of Mamaroneck Police Department’s K9 Vincent will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Vincent’s vest is sponsored by a fundraiser hosted by Denalyn Allen of San Antonio, TX and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Chucky”. 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 3,300 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.

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.

K9 Vincent and his partner, PO Osvaldo Ramos, began working together in February 2016. K9 Vincent is a German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix, which is now the preferred mix for dogs in law enforcement. The “shepherd” gives the dog the favored temperament and intelligence and the “malinois” gives the desired determination and drive.

PO Ramos and K9 Vincent are trained in conducting searches (including article, building, and area), tracking (for both suspects and missing persons), criminal apprehension and narcotics detection.