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Shelton Police Dog Getting Protective Gear Thanks To Donor, Charity

SHELTON, CONN. -- One more police dog will be able to chomp out crime while being protected from the bad guys thanks to the generosity of a Shelton woman and the efforts of a national charity, say local authorities.

Shelton Police Officer Daniel Loris poses with K-9 Stryker, who will be getting a protective vest this fall thanks to the generosity of a local woman.

Shelton Police Officer Daniel Loris poses with K-9 Stryker, who will be getting a protective vest this fall thanks to the generosity of a local woman.

Photo Credit: Shelton Police Department
A police dog wears a protective gear made by Armor Express and donated through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a Massachusetts-based nonprofit.

A police dog wears a protective gear made by Armor Express and donated through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a Massachusetts-based nonprofit.

Photo Credit: vik9s.org/Facebook

Resident Margaret Miles sponsored a bullet- and stab-proof vest through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a nonprofit group, police said Monday.

The recipient, K-9 Stryker, a 2-year-old German shepherd who works with Shelton police Officer Daniel Loris, should be getting his vest by October, police say.

It will be embroidered with the words “In loving memory of Therapy Dog Sandy.”

Loris and Stryker graduated with honors from the state Police K-9 Academy in 2015.

Vested Interest, a charity in East Taunton, Mass., has been providing body armor for K-9s, and dogs that work with related agencies, since 2009.

There are about 30,000 police dogs in the United States.

The charity says it has handed out more than 2,000 vests, worth a total of $1.7 million.

The gear is custom made by Armor Express in Central Lake, Mich.

Eligible for the vests are police dogs that are actively employed, certified and at least 20 months old, the charity said.

New K-9 graduates, as well as K-9s with expired vests, are eligible.

A donation of $1,050 will buy a vest valued at between $1,795 and $2,234, it said.

Each vest has a five-year warranty.

For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call (508)-824-6978.

Vested Interest provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations at www.vik9s.org.

Its mailing address is P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

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