LAKE GEORGE, Colo. — A K-9 with Colorado Parks and Wildlife will receive a protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from a nonprofit.
CPW said Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. donated the vest, which will help protect K-9 Samson from bullet and stab wounds. The vest is sponsored by Troy DeCoux and friends of Pflugerville, Texas. It is expected to arrive in Colorado later this summer.
K-9 Samson, a Belgian Malinois, is certified with the National Police Canine Association for handler protection, fugitive apprehension and various wildlife species odor detection. Samson's handler, Ian Petkash, is a wildlife officer for the Lake George District.
The nonprofit is based out of Massachusetts. Its mission is to provide the vests and other assistance to dogs involved in law enforcement and related fields throughout the country. Since it was created, it has provided more than 3,400 vests thanks to private and corporate donations. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283 and a five-year warranty.