WARWICK, R.I. -- Two police dogs now have bulletproof vests, thanks to the generosity of a charity devoted to protecting law enforcement dogs, a police news release said.
The vests, which cost more than $1,000 each, were provided by Vested Interest in K-9s, with donations from Alta-Tollhaus Kennel, a breeder of German shepherds in Marshall, Mich., and Heatherfest, a blues festival in Norton, Mass.
At a small ceremony on Thursday, K-9 Officer Aaron Steere and his dog, Viking, accepted the vests. The second vest will go to K-9 Officer Paul Wells and his dog, Fox, who were unable to attend.
The protective gear, effective against gunshots and stabbings, was donated in honor of the Alta-Tollhaus Kennel's Ivan and of Heatherfest's Heather McKibben's dog, Maddie.