Hot Springs County Drug Detection Dog Gets Protective Vest
Written by Andrew-Rossi on December 8, 2022
One of the “rookies” at the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s – the K9 Riggs – will have more protection on the job, thanks to a donation from a K-9 advocacy group and a Kentucky woman.
The Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office K9 Riggs will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. 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.
Riggs, a German Shepard, joined the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office in July 2022. The dog and its trainer, newly certified handler Deputy Shayna Cox, make up the department’s first K9 law enforcement unit.
Courtesy Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office
This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and certified by the National Institute of Justice.
Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,845 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by private and corporate donations.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a 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.
The protective vest has been donated thanks to a generous donation from a woman from Kentucky, honoring her family.
K9 Rigg’s vest is sponsored by Amanda Hoback of Simpsonville, KY, and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Guinness & Paul J. Hoback- KY.”
The program is open to U.S. dogs 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.
Delivery of K9 Rigg’s new protective vest is expected within eight to ten weeks.
