Houston Metro K9’s Reno, Hank, Alex, Aimy, River, Jesy, & Soptik to Receive Body Armor

Metro Police Department K9’s Reno, Hank, Alex, Aimy, River, Jesy, & Soptik will receive bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. 

Metro K-9's are dual-purpose dogs and valued members of our team. “We are thrilled to receive this donation and the vests are an important tool in our crime fighting effort,” said MPD Chief Vera Bumpers.

The K9’s vests are sponsored by the late Otto W. Vollenweider of Bolingbrook, IL and will be embroidered with the sentiment “May you always stay safe - Otto W. Vollenweider”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

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 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 1,800 protective vests, in 49 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 1.6 million dollars. 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.