The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office K9 “Corty” is set to receive a bullet- and stab- protective vest, thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Corty’s vest is sponsored by a fundraiser hosted by Denalyn Allen of San Antonio, TX and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Chucky”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

Deputy Braden Quist with K9 Corty

Sheriff Neil Gross says “K9 Corty was purchased through fundraising activities and donations in fall 2018 and is a Belgian Malinois. K9 Corty is currently assigned with Shelby County Deputy Braden Quist. They have completed all the state required training earlier this year and are currently hitting the streets throughout Shelby County. K9 Corty and Handler Braden Quist will benefit from the added protection provided by Vested Interest in K9’s Inc as K9 Corty is a dual-purpose dog.”

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.

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 3,300 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars.