By Police1 Staff
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Six unprotected K-9s now have ballistic vests and one of those vests was purchased thanks to a generous 10-year-old.
Alexis Mattingly donated her birthday money to the Virginia Beach Police Department to make sure every K-9 in the department was protected, WTVR reported.
“Dogs are awesome and I just wanted to help,” she told the news station.
Instead of asking for presents for her birthday, Mattingly asked for donations to help purchase a ballistic vest. She said she was following the lead of others who donated after the death of Norfolk Police K-9 Krijger.
According to the news station, she raised $2,500 in less than a month through donations and bake and craft sales.
“It just proves no matter how old you are or how young you are, if you want to do something then just do it,” Alexis’ mother, Holly Mattingly said. “It speaks volumes for society as well.”
Sgt. Chris Tull said the donations from Alexis and others couldn’t have come at a better time.
“These have been tough times for police officers in general,” Sergeant Tull said. “There’s been a lot of negativity that’s come out, so to see the community step forward and provide this support, really is heartening.”