K9 Task Force

12/30/2024

Thank you Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. for protecting one more of our K9s!! We appreciate you and the all the donors who made that possible!

K9 Task Force - K9 Nerron has received donation of body armor. K9 Nerron has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Nerron’s vest was sponsored by Gary King of Knoxville, TN and embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by the King Family”.

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 5,760 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 $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, 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.

12/30/2024

Because every dog should have a pair of in case they are in a splint ... and it’s winter ... and they need a bathroom break…. and the roads are so slippery 🤷🏼‍♀️

11/07/2024

We want take a moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who contributed to our potential disaster relief efforts. Because of each of you, we raised enough to fund our teams' deployment. While we were activated by Ashville PD, Yancy County and NC Emergency Management through our partners at Idaho VOAD, we ultimately did not deploy. At this point, it is unlikely that our volunteers will be needed there, so we will begin the process of refunding all donations to each of you. We deeply appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness towards our shared goal of supporting the victims of Hurricane Helene.

11/06/2024

It's has been so hard to keep such a big secret!

We are so excited to finally make the announcement of our newest Task Force Officers who form our board of directors, and function as our official advisors and consultants. It is our honor to introduce this most impressive line up of experience and subject matter experts!

Detective Guy Baker
Missoula Police Department and FBI TFO works in violent crimes and is a former SWAT officer with an extensive 35 year law enforcement career and 25 years as a detective. He has volunteered to endorse K9-TF and bring credibility to the team. He will also offer support and resource referral and opportunities for law enforcement agencies giving a positive influence to the use of non-L.E K9 teams.

Dr. M Nell Dalton, DVM
ER Vet at West Vet. Dr. Dalton has extensive history leading multiple other K9 Units and teaching pre hospital trauma triage throughout the law enforcement industry. She has volunteered to assist K9 Task Force with support of industry related K9 regulations, industry related connections, sponsorship opportunities, recommend direction and guidance for situational support issues and more.

Ravi Fry
Retired law enforcement officer and current back county airplane pilot. He is also an avid shooting competitor and focuses on fi****ms safety, wildlife safety and mitigation, logistics and safety in general, swift water rescue, and K9 team support / flanker. Ravi has already been a valuable task force officer for 2 years and we are thankful for his willingness to take on an advisory role for us.

Peter Landsiedel, Attorney at Law
Peter is a Criminal Defense Attorney at Leisher and Landsiedel P.C. He primarily works on small business litigation, is a Shooting instructor and has offered his support on procurement, legal advice, affiliations with industry partners and any other legal advice we have.

Paul Leisher, Attorney at Law
Specializes as a Criminal Justice Attorney at Leisher and Lansiedel P.C. And primarily works on civil issues and represents L.E.
Paul also sits on BOD for The Innocence Project
Can offer support with financial and legal input for our team.

Dr. Meradeth Snow
Associate Professor of Forensic Anthropology at the University of Montana. She also has a specialty in genetic anthropology, is a speaker, researcher and works with the crime lab in Missoula.
She has offered her expertise in providing forensic anthropology related input and guidance to K9-TF in and out of the field.

They are joining our current roster that includes former and active law enforcement officers, military veterans, pilots, MS in criminology, DVM, and attending MS in digital forensics. We could not be more honored to have such a talented team and to be able to offer the much needed resources and consulting, beyond just K9s.

10/20/2024

🇺🇸DEPLOYED TO IDAHO

K9-TF sent two teams, K9 Fury and K9 Spy to Idaho this weekend to assist in a search for a missing person. It is just as important to know where someone isn't, as it is where they are. With a 15 foot approximate human grid spacing and the dogs thoroughly covering the space between throughout the entire designated area, we feel its unlikely that our missing person is in that area and will can continue to look in other places!

Thank you for the hard work Spy and Fury!

10/13/2024

Don't miss this episode of 48 Hours, "Where is Jermain Charlo" airing Saturday October 12th 10/9c on CBS or Paramount +
We are incredibly inspired by the tenacity and dedication of Detective Guy Baker, Missoula PD, throughout Jermain's case.

Police release last known images of 23-year-old missing mom. Can this security camera video help reveal what happened to her? "CBS Saturday Morning" cohost and "48 Hours" contributor Michelle Miller reports Saturday, Oct. 12 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.