 | STATE OF CONNECTICUT Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection Connecticut State Police Public Information Office |  |
| Dr. Dora B. Schriro Commissioner | Colonel Alaric J. Fox Deputy Commissioner Division of State Police | |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Connecticut State Police K-9s
Receive Body Armor
K9 Texas has been assigned to Trooper First Class Edward Anuszewski at Troop A in Southbury since August 2016. K9 Texas is a 2 ½ year-old bloodhound who is trained to locate lost/missing people, suspects and deceased persons.
Vested
Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA., 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. The nonprofit was established in 2009
to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor
for their four -legged K9 partners. Through private and corporate
donations, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., has provided more than 2,600
protective vests in all 50 states at a cost of more than $2.1 million. All
vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.
The program is
open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies
who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as
K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
The
suggested donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is
$950.00. Each vest has an average weight of 4-5 pounds and has a value between
$1,744 – $2,283 and a five-year warranty. There are an estimated 30,000 law
enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn
about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in
K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible
donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org
or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
TFC Anuszewski & K9 Texas
K9 Ugo, assigned to Trooper Groot
