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UPD drug dog wins vest


Greiff

The Uvalde Police Department was recently notified that they have qualified for about $2,000 worth of body armor and opioid-overdose antidote for their K-9 officer, Greiff.

UPD public information officer Jessica Zamora said the items are expected to arrive in about two weeks. She said UPD Officer Bruce Ramos did some research, and the police department applied for and was awarded the items from Vested Interest in K9s Inc., a non-profit organization based in East Taunton, Massachusetts.

“Uvalde Police Department’s K9 Greiff will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc. K9 Greiff’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always,” Zamora said in a post on the UPD Facebook page.

The ballistic vest, potentially lifesaving body armor for K-9 officers, is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice certified to meet quality standards.

Greiff, a German Shepherd, was 1 year old when he joined UPD in August of 2019, taking the place of the department’s previous drug-detection dog, Max, who retired in July of 2019.

Greiff is trained to detect the scent of narcotics and drug paraphernalia, and can conduct building and vehicle searches. He trained with a handler for two weeks at Worldwide Canine located in Boerne before joining the department.

“We are receiving the vest and a Narcan kit. The Narcan spray, if he happens to overdose on fentanyl, or any kind of any kind of narcotic, Bruce can spray that in his nose. And it’ll reverse the effects,” Zamora said. 

Program information

Vested Interest in K9s Inc., was established in 2009, and has provided more than 4,563 ballistic vests to K-9s in all 50 states, valued at approximately $6.9 million. They have also provided about 2,300 Narcan kits. The 501(c)(3) charity accepts both private and corporate donations. 

Bruce Ramos

According to its website, the charity’s mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies; and K-9 officers with expired vests are also eligible to participate. 

Vested Interest in K9s Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount. A donation of approximately $960 will sponsor one vest, and each vest has a value of $1,744 to $2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. 

For more information,  call 508-824-6978, or visit the website at www.vik9s.org. Donations may also be mailed to: Vested Interest in K9s Inc., P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.