Wright County Sheriff’s Department K9 Officer to Receive Body Armor Donation

(KNSI) — A K9 officer with the Wright County Sheriff’s Office is getting some new body armor thanks to a donation from a non-profit specializing in bullet and stab-protective vests and other equipment for police dogs.

Vested Interest in K9s, Incorporated, is donating a vest for K9 Grizz. The vest is sponsored by the National Police Association. The vests from the company are approved by the National Institute of Justice, which is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. They are custom-fitted and made in the United States. K9-specific body armor can cost anywhere from $1700 to almost $2300.

K9 Grizz is a German Shepherd/Malinois mix and came to the sheriff’s office in May, and began service in June. Before that, he was training and working with his human partner, Deputy Michael Loomis, and Steve Pearson, owner of Performance Kennels Incorporated in Buffalo. According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, Grizz is certified in narcotics detection and patrol work through the United State Police Canine Association. Grizz replaced K9 Vader, who retired in February after seven years of service.

Delivery of the vest is expected in eight to ten weeks.

Since its inception in 2009, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,415 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

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