COLUMBIA — Columbia Police Department K9 Mace will receive a bullet- and stab-resistant protective vest through a charitable donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc.
The vest was sponsored by the Virginia L. Stoner Huguenard Endowment Fund of Corunna, Indiana, and will be embroidered with the message, “In memory of Virginia L. Stoner Huguenard.” Delivery is expected within 10 weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, founded in 2009, is a nonprofit organization that provides protective vests and other assistance to law enforcement K9s and related working dogs across the country.
The organization said the vests are made in the United States, custom fitted and certified by the National Institute of Justice. Each vest is designed to provide protection against bullets and stabbing weapons.
Since its founding, Vested Interest in K9s has provided more than 6,631 vests valued at more than $6.9 million to law enforcement K9s in all 50 states, according to the organization.
The program is open to active, certified law enforcement or related-agency dogs that are at least 20 months old. K9s whose protective vests have expired may also qualify for assistance.
Each vest is valued at $1,800, weighs about 4 to 5 pounds and includes a five-year warranty. The organization said a $1,050 donation can sponsor a vest.
Vested Interest in K9s estimates there are about 30,000 law enforcement K9s nationwide.
