New Protective Vests Donated to Plymouth's K9 Unit

The Plymouth Police Department’s K9 Unit recently received a donation of two protective vests through a partnership with Groupon and the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc.

In the span of about two weeks, the duo was able to raise more than $55,000 through individual $10 Groupon donations from users. Purchasers of the $10 Groupon, which was listed in the website’s “Do-Gooder” category, will be able to file the expenditure as a tax-deductable donation.

All proceeds were handed off to Massachusetts-based Vested Interest in K-9s, which purchases and donates bullet- and stab-protective vests for law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Plymouth Police Officer Matt Gliniany was able to receive a vest for his K9 partner, Stryker, a German Shepherd, as was Officer Bill Dane for his K9, Odie, a Belgian Malinois.

Protective vests are valued at about $1,000 and have a five-year warranty. Since 2009, Vested Interest in K-9s has donated 431 vests for law enforcement K9s. The organization has a waiting list for more than 20 dogs.

(Information provided by a city of Plymouth press release.)