The Pine Hill Police Department is proud to announce our newest member, K9 Condor. K9 Condor and his handler, K9 Office Bruey began the 17 week NJSP Patrol course in September 2020, progressing to proficiency in obedience, area searches, building searches, article searches, tracking, agility, and criminal apprehensions in accordance with the AG guidelines, successfully completing the initial training in January 2021. The K9 Team continued their specialized training in March 2021 and successfully completed the 14 week NJSP Narcotic Scent Detection course in the beginning of June.
Pine Hill Police Department’s K9 Condor will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Condor’s vest is sponsored by a fundraiser hosted by Paulette Tamburro of Westmont, NJ and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,301 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
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. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
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On behalf of all the members of the Pine Hill Police Department, and the Pine Hill Borough community, a very special thank you to Paulette Tamburro and Vested Interest in K9s for their generous support and for providing the essential protective equipment for K9 Condor.
