NCSO K-9 Chief receives donation of body armor

A Niagara County Sheriff’s Office K-9, named Chief, has received a bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc. The vest was sponsored by Pam, Corey and Todd Harmon of Lockport and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Chief Craig C. Harmon.” 

Vested Interest in K9s Inc. is a 501C(3) charity located in East Taunton, Massachusetts. Its mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the U.S. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their K-9 officers. 

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s Inc. has provided over 3,300 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million. 

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 K-9 graduates, as well as K-9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate. 

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K-9 is $950. Each vest has a value between $1,744 to $2,283, a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 pounds. 

There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s throughout the U.S. 

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.