TERRELL, Texas — UPDATE [Oct. 24] — Earlier today, the Terrell Police Department announced the arrival of a new protective vest, which was donated earlier this year, for the K9 Bolt.
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TERRELL, Texas — UPDATE [Oct. 24] — Earlier today, the Terrell Police Department announced the arrival of a new protective vest, which was donated earlier this year, for the K9 Bolt.
ORIGINAL — Terrell Police Department K9 Bolt will soon be sporting a new protective vest after a national non-profit organization announced it would be making a donation to the department.
Earlier this year, the department announced the implementation of the K-9 program and, with that, introduced K9 Bolt, a Belgian Malinois, and his partner, Officer Police Officer Travis Williams.
The vest, donated by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., is valued between $1,744 and $2,283 and will provide bullet and stab protection. The vest will be embroidered with "Honoring those who served and sacrificed." Delivery is expected in eight to ten weeks.
The donation was made possible through fundraisers hosted by Thin Blue Line USA and Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 2009, provided over 3,000 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million dollars.
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.
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.