The protective equipment, Sheriff Wes Tripp said in a statement, was made possible through the efforts of Vested Interest in K9s, a Massachusetts based non-profit organization and Armor Express, a Michigan based manufacturer.

An incentive program offered by Armor Express of Central Lake, Michigan, to Vested Interest in K9s, has provided 10 law enforcement dogs in five states with ballistic vests.

For every 15 vests purchased by the charity, a free vest was awarded. Vests were donated to dogs in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Texas

Vested Interest in K9s is an all volunteer charity located in East Taunton, Massachusetts, whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests for law enforcement dogs throughout the United States. Each vest costs $950 and has a five-year warranty. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially life-saving body armor for their four-legged officers. Through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s has provided more than 580 law enforcement dogs with protective vests since its inception in August of 2009. More than $550,000 in law enforcement dog vests have been donated in 38 states including Alaska and Hawaii.

The organization orders the Armor Express vests exclusively from Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, which also does the custom embroidery on the body armor.

New law enforcement dog graduates as well as those with expired vests are eligible to apply for the ballistic vests. The program is open to United States-employed and certified law enforcement dogs at least 19-months-old.

For more information visit www.vik9s.org or call 508-824-6978.

 Donations may be made by mail to Vested Interest in K9s, P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718 or via the website.