A valuable member of the Marshall County law enforcement community now has a bulletproof vest. K9 Arras was one of 350 police dogs selected by nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9’s Inc. They provide working dogs with appropriate safety equipment to protect them while they are working on the streets. Each vest bears a tag in memory of K9 Rocco of the Pittsburgh Police Department. He sacrificed his life in the line of duty in January.
Arras joined the Marshall County Police Department in September of 2012. Since then he’s been involved in nearly 200 criminal narcotics arrests as well as cash seizures. He’s a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois imported from Holland and certified through Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind. and the American Working Dog Association.
The vests cost $950 each and are warrantied for five years. Since 2009, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided body armor to 585 law enforcement dogs in 39 states. The program is open to law enforcement dogs who are U.S. employed, certified and at least 19 months old. New K9 graduates and dogs with expired vests are eligible to participate. Find more information on line at www.vik9s.org.
