Lake Forest Police Department Canine Chase has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a non-profit organization in Massachusetts, the department announced.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., which is a non-profit organization located in Massachusetts, helps facilitate the process between vest manufacturers and donors in order to help law enforcement canines receive protective vests.
Leah A. Beale, who lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, sponsored the vest by donating $950 to the non-profit. Lake Forest police canine Chase received the vest, which is valued between $1,700-$2,200, in late September.
Chase joined the Lake Forest Police Department in June after attending an 8-week training program consisting of training in narcotics detection, tracking, obedience, area searches, article searches, building searches and criminal apprehension, with his handler Officer Mike Hughes.
Since 2009 when Vested Interest in K9s was established, they have donated over 3,500 custom fitted and certified vests through private and corporate donations, at a value of $6.9 million dollars, according to the organization.
The program is open to canines actively employed in the United States with law enforcement or related agencies. Anyone wishing to donate to the non-profit can call 508-824-6978 or visit VIK9S.org for more information.