K9s with an area police department will soon be better protected when they’re on the job. Sig, Thor, Titan and Sarge, Belgian Malinois, who serve with the Johnstown Police Department, will get new bullet and stab protective vests in about 8 to 10 weeks.
The dogs’ body armor, valued between $1800 and $2300 per vest, is being donated by Vested Interest In K9S Incorporated , a charity that provides the vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement agencies throughout the country.
Jeff Janciga, Interim Chief, Johnstown Police Department says the K9 officers really appreciate the potentially life-saving donations. “As a former K9 handler, the safety of your partner is very important. I always place the safety of my partner as equal to mine and I wouldn’t put anyone else at risk, but I would put myself at risk.”
Janciga says the new vests will be individually fitted to the dogs and will replace other older hand-me-down body armor from previous K9s. The vests will honor K9 Ike from the Vancouver Police Department and K9 Jethro from the Canton Ohio Police Department.
You can learn more about the effort to provide bullet and stab protective vests for K9s at www,vik9s.org. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts donations.