Body armor vest donated to Columbia Fire Department K

Tony, the Columbia Fire Department K-9, will get some new protective equipment in a couple of months.

Vested Interest in K9s Inc. is providing a bullet and stab protective vest, sponsored by Don and Misty Fike of Galesburg, Illinois, the department said in a news release. The vest will be specially embroidered with the phrase "Born to Love – Trained to Serve – Loyal Always."

Vested Interest was founded in 2009 and its charity mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States, according to the news release. The organization has provided more than 5,200 vests across the U.S. thanks to private and corporate donations.

K-9 actively employed service dogs at least 20 months old or those with expired vests are eligible to receive a vest. Vested interest takes donations in any amount, but a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest, the department said. Vests are valued at $1,800, have a five-year warranty and weigh about four to five pounds.