WUSA9
TAKOMA PARK, Md. — A dog who is part of a local K9 unit will receive a ballistic vest thanks to funds raised from a GROUPON event.
The Takoma Park Police Department announced that more than $335,000 were raised under the “Occasions” campaign for Groupon Grassroots to outfit police K9’s with bullet and stab protective vests and K9 Kota will receive a vest thanks to that effort. The campaign from February 15th to March 5th encouraged users to make a $10, tax-deductible donation to go towards buying ballistic vests for police dogs.
According to police, non-profit Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. will be providing over 350 law enforcement dogs nationwide, including Kota, with the vests in memory of K9 Rocco of the Pittsburgh Police Department who sacrificed his life in the line of duty in January 2014. The vests will be embroidered with the sentiment, “In Memory of K9 Rocco, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.”
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is still accepting donations at www.vik9s.org and via mail P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
Each vest costs $950 and has a five-year warranty, according to police. In 2013, the non-profit organization raised more than $155,500 in one week for ballistic vests for 163 law enforcement dogs in 30 states.
Reprinted with permission from WUSA