Telfair County K9 Maverick receives protective vest

The sheriff’s office says the bullet and stab protective vest was provided through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

TELFAIR COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A Telfair County Sheriff’s Office K9 has received new protective body armor through a donation from a nonprofit organization.

The sheriff’s office says K9 Maverick received a bullet and stab protective vest from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Deputies say Maverick’s vest was sponsored by Sean Omsted and Combat Disabled Veterans Surplus of Clayton, Washington. The vest is embroidered with the message, “This gift of protection provided by C.D.V.S. Inc.”

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to law enforcement K9s and related agencies across the country.

According to the sheriff’s office, the vests are made in the United States, custom fitted and certified by the National Institute of Justice.

Since 2009, the sheriff’s office says Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided more than 6,500 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states.

The program is open to certified law enforcement dogs in the United States that are at least 20 months old and actively employed. K9s with expired vests are also eligible.

Deputies say a single donation of $1,050 sponsors one vest. Each vest is valued at $1,800, weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds and comes with a five-year warranty.

For more information, call Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. at (508) 824-6978.