Two months after the Pearsall Police Department was notified it would receive a ballistic vest through a charitable donation, K-9 Diesel has new gear.
The bullet- and stab-protective vest was gifted to the PD through a non-profit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., sponsored by Claire Lillard of Baytown, Texas.
The non-profit group was established in 2009 to provide protective vests to dogs in law enforcement throughout the United States.
According to the Pearsall Police Chief Humberto Torralba II, the vest is custom fitted and has a National Institute of Justice certification.
The non-profit organization has provided over 4,538 protective vests to canines in the United States at a cost of $6.9 million. The program is open to US dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. Canines with expired vests are also eligible for new gear.
“We appreciate the generous donation from the non-profit organization called Vested Interest in K9s,” Chief Torralba said. “K-9 Diesel of the Pearsall Police Department will be proudly wearing his vest.”
