Department of Correction

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 8, 2019
CONTACT: pressoffice@doc.nyc.gov, (718) 546-0631

Charity Provides DOC’s Dogs with Protective Vests

DOC K9 Kain sporting his new protective vest

NYC Department of Correction K9s Rugby, Justice, Nikki, Kain, Kaos, Gunner, Zeus, Soca, Ace, Khaleesi, Ajax, Kiara, Cole, Logan, Casper, & Bane have all received bullet and stab protective vests, thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vests are sponsored by Survival Armor incentive program and embroidered with the sentiment, “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and Survival Armor.”
“Thanks to this donation, our K9s and their handlers are safer at work,” said Andre Cox, Executive Director of Canine Operations for DOC. “The vests fit well and the animals appear very comfortable wearing them.”

K9 Rugby in his vest.Each vest is tailored to precise fit to ensure safety and comfort.
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. has provided over 3,400 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.
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.

About the New York City Department of Correction
The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) provides for the care, custody, and control of persons accused of crimes or convicted and sentenced to one year or less of jail time. The Department manages 11 person in custody facilities, eight of which are located on Rikers Island. In addition, the Department operates two hospital Prison Wards (Bellevue and Elmhurst hospitals) and court holding facilities in each borough. During Fiscal Year 2018, the Department handled over 49,000 admissions and managed an average daily person in custody population of approximately 8,900 individuals. Our dedicated workforce of both uniformed and non-uniformed staff members represent the city’s BOLDEST.