Petersburg to receive new bullet, stab-protective vest for police dog

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- The Petersburg Bureau of Police will receive a bullet and stab-protective vest from Vested Interest in K9, Inc. for a police dog within 10 weeks.

K9 Rita's vest will include an embroidery stating, "Gifted by the Clarke family in memory of John," according to a social post from the Petersburg Bureau of Police Facebook page.

The program is open to actively employed and certified police dogs who are at least 20 months old, as well as those with expired vests.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a non-profit charity organization that aims to provide bullet and stab protective vests and assist dogs of law enforcement.

The new body armor, sponsored by Anita Clarke in Washington, was created in the United States and is certified by the National Institute of Justice.

Petersburg Police say that Vested Interest in K9s, Inc provided more than 5,882 vests to police dogs, valued at a total of $6.9 million.

For more information, please call 508-824-6978.