Police dog to receive vest
JACKSON TWP — The township police’s K-9 unit will get some extra protection.
Aron, the 21-month-old German shepherd who became the department’s new K-9 unit in September, will get a protective vest donated by the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K-9s.
“I was impressed,” Chief Terry Seilhamer said. “They’re certified vests.”
Since its inception in 2009, Vested Interest has provided more than 1,600 protective vests in 49 states through private and corporate donations at a cost of more than $1.5 million. All vests are custom made by Armor Express in Central Lake, Mich.
The vest, which weighs four to five pounds, is designed to protect from bullets and knives.
K-9 vests and human bulletproof vests are made of the same material. However, K-9 vests have to be custom-fitted for a dog’s frame.
Each vest costs around $1,050, more than a standard bulletproof vest for an officer.
“We paid probably around $850 for our vests,” Seilhamer said.
Aron’s vest will be embroidered with “In memory of K-9 Rocco, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.”
Rocco was killed in the line of duty last year after being stabbed by a man confronted by Pittsburgh police.
“That received a lot of publicity,” Seilhamer said. “This foundation stepped forward and provided additional vests for some of the other K-9 units down there.”
The program is open to dogs employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies that are certified and at least 19 months of age.
Aron is certified in narcotics detection, tracking, criminal apprehension, handler protection, article searches and area and building searches. He also will work at the Seneca Valley School District in addition to his duties in Jackson Township.
Aron only will wear the vest in dangerous situations that may call for it.
“They are a little bulky and heavy,” Seilhamer said. “He wouldn’t just ride around in a vehicle with the vest on all the time like an officer would.”
Aron lives with officer Vaughn Pulgini.
