Bedford Police Department K-9 To Receive Protective Vest

(BEDFORD) – Bedford Police Department’s K-9 Zazu will receive a bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

Zazu is partnered with Bedford Police Officer Faheem Bade.

K-9 Zazu and Officer Bade

K9 Zazu’s vest will be embroidered with “In memory of K9 Kye”.

K9 Kye lost his life in the line of duty on August 25, 2014 while apprehending a subject that led officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department on two separate pursuits. K9 Kye bit the person; however, during the incident he stabbed K9 Kye, who later died from his injuries.

Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity is 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 non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,700 U.S. made, custom-fitted, NIJ certified protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $6.9 million dollars.

K-9 Zasu

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 donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. 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.