Virginia K-9 to Receive Donated Body Armor from Charitable Group

A K-9 with the Franklin (VA) Police Department will soon be outfitted with bullet- and stab-resistant body armor, the agency announced on social media on Monday.

The department said on Facebook , "Franklin Police Department's K-9 Ares will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Ares' vest is sponsored by Beverly Draper of Mechanicsville, VA, and will be embroidered with the sentiment "In memory of Bill Draper'."

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity 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 K-9s. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 3,500 U.S. made, custom fitted, NIJ-certified protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $6.9 million .

Delivery of Ares' vest is expected within eight to ten weeks.