Columbus State University Police Department's K9 Duk to get donation of body armor

November 30, 2018

Columbus State University Police Department's K9 Duk will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Duk's vest is sponsored by an Anonymous Sponsor and will be embroidered with the sentiment "In memory of Molly". Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c 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 3,100 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.

"We are thankful for this opportunity and are we honored to know that this charitable donation will help keep Lieutenant Duk safe while performing his duties," said CSU Police Chief Mark Lott. The department's K9 team consists of Lieutenant Duk and his handler, Sergeant Jon Erickson, a veteran officer with prior K9 experience. Be sure to follow Duk on Instagram, @csupolice_k9_duk.