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HOGANSVILLE—Redo, one of the Hogansville Police Department’s K-9 officers, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

K-9 Redo’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K-9 Arie, Garden City, GA, EOW 4/1/22.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

Redo, a three-and-a-half Malinois, is used in drug-location police situations. HPD has a second K-9 officer, three-and-a-half-year-old Cola, who will receive a vest at a later date.

Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity 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. This potentially lifesaving body armor for K-9 officers is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and NIJ certified.  Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,652 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. 

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.  K-9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, visit https://www.vik9s.org/.