Redmond Police Department K9 Remy receiving body armor

Redmond Police Department’s K9 Remy will receive a bullet- and stab-protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

December 18, 2015 4:45 pm
Redmond Police Department officer Dan Smith with K9 Remy.
Redmond Police Department officer Dan Smith with K9 Remy.

Redmond Police Department’s K9 Remy will receive a bullet- and stab-protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

K9 Remy’s vest is sponsored by Brandie Hassing of University Place, Wash., and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Stay safe out there — love the Hassing Family.” Delivery is expected to take place within eight to 10 weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, Mass., 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 nonprofit 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 more than 1,600 protective vests, in 49 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of more than $1.5 million. All vests are custom made in the United States by Armor Express in Central Lake, Mich.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the United States 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 suggested donation to provide one protective vest for law enforcement K9 is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795-$2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 pounds. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, 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.

Becky Range, Redmond Police Department spokesperson, said the department was excited to hear of this news and hopes to meet with the Hassing family when the vest arrives, to thank them in person for their generous gift.