Police Press Release for February 26, 2016

Anne Arundel County Police Department K9’s Leo & Erby will receive bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Leo’s vest is sponsored by Carolyn and Dan Matthews of Arnold, MD and will be embroidered with the sentiment “For your safety as you serve”.  K9 Erby’s vest is sponsored by Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat of Davidsonville, MD and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Friends of Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat”. 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 1,700 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.

 

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050.00. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There are 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.

 

K9 LEO

 

K9 Leo is a 2 year old German Shepherd / Belgian Malinois, is certified in Patrol and Narcotics work and is assigned to Corporal Eric Lively. Corporal Eric Lively has been a handler with the Anne Arundel County, MD Police Department since 2015. K9 Leo was purchased from Tarheel K9, located in Sanford, North Carolina. He became a member of the Anne Arundel County Police Department in May 2015. He began his formal Police Training in August 2015 and completed over 400 hours of training. K9 Leo likes playing fetch, chewing on his Kong and training days. He has a strong dislike for suspects who are intent on assault, escape, or evasion.

 

K9 ERBY

                                 

K9 Erby is a 3 year old Belgian Malinois, is certified in Patrol and Narcotics work and is assigned to Sergeant Tommy Pleasant. Sergeant Tommy Pleasant has been a handler with the Anne Arundel County, MD Police Department since 2015. K9 Erby was purchased from Tarheel K9, located in Sanford, North Carolina. She became a member of the Anne Arundel County Police Department in May 2015.She began her formal Police Training in August 2015 and completed over 400 hours of training. K9 Erby likes going for walks, playing ball, chewing on her Kong and training days. She has a strong dislike for suspects who are intent on assault, escape, or evasion.