Officer O’Boyle of the Chicago Police Department visited Hinsdale Humane Society on Friday, March 14 with his K9, Clancy, to thank the staff and community for providing his dog, and others, with new bulletproof vests to protect them in the line of duty.
Officers of the Chicago Police Department are expected to purchase their own protective vests, and so, too, are their four-legged partners.
The 21 K9s of Unit 341 were wearing 7-year-old vests that were in poor condition and were no longer effective protection. Fundraisers to help left the unit still in need of ten new vests.
Hinsdale Humane Society reached out to the community and was able to raise nearly $3,000 to purchase three and half of the vests that cost $850 a piece.
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“These very special dogs are trained to serve and protect us,” said Jenny Vlazny, Operations Manager, Hinsdale Humane Society. “This was our way to protect them and we were so thrilled to see the outpouring of response to help these K9’s from Chicago.” Donors like Laurie Berg responded to a Facebook plea on the HHS website within minutes of the post, donating funds to cover the cost of an entire vest.
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