Allegan County Sheriff’s Office K9 Luca will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Luca’s vest is sponsored by Sharon Peters of Gross Pointe Shores, and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Det. Lt. Richard J. Scott.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
The vests assist law enforcement agencies with the potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers. The company has given more than 2,800 vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of more than $2.4 million.
“The Sheriff’s Office is ever grateful to receive this gift from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.," said Luca’s partner, Deputy Ryan Rewa. “This will provide needed protection for Luca as he performs his patrol duties.”
Rewa has been with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office for three and a half years; Luca joined him on patrol six months ago. Rewa and Luca, a 20-month-old German Shepard imported from Poland, went through a five -week training course together before going on patrol and they continue to train on a regular basis to maintain and hone their skills.
Luca is trained in drug detection, tracking, suspect apprehension and handler protection. Along with their duties, Luca and Rewa make regular visits to classrooms and community events to interact with our citizens.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies that 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 law enforcement K9 is $950. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283 and a five-year warranty, with average weight of four to five pounds. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s in the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity established in 2009, located in East Taunton, MA that provides bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs in law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.
For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 508-824-6978. The company accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org, or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
