A Powder Springs Police Department canine will soon have an extra layer of protection while serving the public and catching the bad guys.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has awarded a stab and bullet protective vest to K9 Kash. Powder Springs police made the announcement Wednesday on its Facebook page.
K9 Kash’s vest is sponsored by Shaun Leiker of the Allen Lund Company and will be embroidered with “This gift of protection provided by Allen Lund Co.” The vest is expected to be delivered within eight to 10 weeks, Powder Springs police said.
Major Dwayne Posser, who oversees the agency’s K9 Unit, said the department inquired about getting a vest for Kash and applied to be considered for the donation.
Kash, who has been on the force for about three years, is a multi-purpose dog who sniffs out narcotics, tracks humans and apprehends suspects. The other canine on the force is Monto, who Posser said the department will also seek to obtain body armor for in the future.
READ | State appeals ruling dismissing Craigslist murder suspect's indictment
Based in East Taunton, Massachusetts, Vested Interest in K9s is a nonprofit organization that provides stab and bullet protective vests to dogs serving in law enforcement and other agencies.
Since it was launched in 2009, it has donated more than 3,300 vests in 50 states with $5.7 million in private and corporate donations, according to the organization's website.
Dogs actively serving in policing agencies who are at least 20 months old, as well as new K9 graduates and those with expired protective vests are eligible to participate in the program.
Posser said the agency is grateful for K9 Kash to be a recipient of a vest made possible by the generosity of donors.
“They certainly are in the line of harm’s way...as much as other officers,” he added. “It’s just affording them an extra layer of protection when they go out on details.”
For more information or to consider donating to the program, call 508-824-6978 or visit the organization's website.
Like Cobb County News Now on Facebook |Follow on Twitter
About the Author
