GALESBURG, Illinois — Ajax, the 4-year-old Galesburg Police Department’s K9, will soon be outfitted with a vest to protect him against bullets and knife wounds. Ajax is one of 62 law enforcement dogs that will be given vests thanks to the non-profit Vested Interest in K9s Inc.
$65,825 was presented to the charity from the “Help Officer Hickey Vest K9s” online fundraiser. People donated nationwide to help retired officer Matt Hickey of Marietta, Ohio keep his K9 partner (also named Ajax), when he retired. Through their efforts, Hickey was able to purchase his canine partner for $1 when he retired. The rest of the money was donated to Vested Interest in K9s.
The non-profit provides vests for dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies. Each vest costs about $1,050 and weighs about 5 pounds. Click here to visit their website.
