Lake County Gazette

The Buffalo Grove Police Department's K9 unit has been bolstered by the donation of a bullet and stab-protective vest, courtesy of the nonprofit organization Vested Interests in K9s.

Mac, a two-year-old Sable German Shepherd, is the recipient of this protective gear. The Buffalo Grove press release states that the donation was made possible through a charitable sponsorship by Vested Interests in K9s. Mac became part of the department in June 2023 and his handler, Officer Shannon McMillon, has been serving since 2014.

In terms of duties, Mac is tasked with narcotics detection, tracking and locating criminal suspects and missing persons, as well as conducting searches in various environments, according to the same press release.

Vested Interests in K9s is a charity whose mission involves providing protective vests and other assistance to law enforcement dogs and related agencies across the country. As per the Buffalo Grove press release, the body armor provided by this charity is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and certified by the National Institute of Justice. To date, the nonprofit has supplied over 5,514 vests to K9 units across all 50 states at a total value of $6.9 million. These efforts are funded through private and corporate donations.

Eligibility for this program extends to dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. The Buffalo Grove press release also notes that a single donation of $985 can sponsor one vest. For more information about Vested Interests in K9s or to make donations, interested parties can visit www.vik9s.org.