The Issue: Fatal Injuries to Police Dogs in the Line of Duty
Dogs employed in law-enforcement K9 units risk their lives on a daily basis, often without the proper protective equipment. While on call, they are deployed ahead of their human counterparts, often confronting serious and possibly fatal danger to protect local communities. In January 2014 alone, four American police dogs were killed in the line of duty.
The Campaign: Supplying Dogs with Bullet- and Stab-Protective Vests
All donations to this Grassroots campaign will be used by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. to supply bullet- and stab-protective vests for police dogs. For every $950 raised, Vested Interest can purchase one vest. The organization aims to provide at least 100 vests to active-duty dogs across the country, presenting the vests at ceremonies to demonstrate their valor and service.
During the month of February, all K9 vests supplied by this Grassroots campaign will be embroidered, "In Memory of K9 Rocco, Pittsburgh Police Department." Rocco, an 8-year-old German shepherd, was fatally injured in a stabbing on January 29, 2014, and Vested Interest wishes to honor his sacrifice.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
Lifelong animal lover Sandy Marcal created Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. to raise awareness and funds for bullet-protective vests for K9 police-unit dogs. She has more than a decade of experience working with K9 teams and has raised funds to purchase more than 750 protective vests for K9 dogs. Vested Interest’s team of volunteers also spreads the word of its mission through networking, donation collections, and fundraising events. Each time a new vest is procured, Marcal organizes and presides over a vesting ceremony for the chosen K9 unit.
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