Most members of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office are familiar with wearing protective vests, but now the department's doggy deputy gets to suit up like his human compatriots.
Bali, the department's K9 officer, received a bullet and stab protective vest through charitable donations from the nonprofit, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a group that helps fund and supply protective equipment for law enforcement service dogs.
Bali's vest was sponsored by Katrina Owens of Cockeysville. It was embroidered with the sentiment, "In Memory of Ollie Owens."
Since it's inception in 2009, Vested Interest has provided 3,100 protective vests in 50 states, representing $5.7 million in private and corporate donations. Each vests is valued between $1,744 and $2,283. A donation of $950 provides one vest. For more information about Vested Interest, call 508-824-6978, or got to their website.
