 | STATE OF CONNECTICUT Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection Connecticut State Police Public Information Office |  |
| Dr. Dora B. Schriro Commissioner | Colonel George F. Battle Deputy Commissioner Division of State Police | |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONNECTICUT
STATE POLICE K-9 TAZZ TO RECEIVE PROTECTIVE VEST
(MIDDLETOWN, CT
– April 11, 2018) - Connecticut State Police Department’s K9 Tazz will receive
a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the
non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest for K9 Tazz is sponsored by a
fundraiser hosted by Dtails Dog Day School & Training Center of Old
Saybrook and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by the Friends of
DTails.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
K9 Tazz has been assigned to Trooper
First Class Matthew Weber at Troop F in Westbrook for three years. K9 Tazz is a
four-and-a-half year old German Shepherd trained in all aspects of patrol
including tracking, evidence recovery, handler protection, criminal
apprehension and obedience.
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 2,800 protective vests in all 50 states at a
cost of more than $2.4 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 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 $1,7944–$2,283 and a five-year
warranty. There is 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.
Contact Us:
Office: 860-685-8230 Fax: 860-685-8301
An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer