Central ND News

The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department has announced that K9 Pallo has received a bullet and stab protective vest, thanks to a donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. This announcement was made in a Facebook post on December 20, 2024.

According to the Facebook announcement, K9 Pallo's vest was sponsored by Sonja Yagel from Rougemont, NC, and features an embroidery reading "In memory of Ben."

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides essential resources such as bullet and stab protective vests and opioid reversal kits to law enforcement dogs across the United States. Since its inception in 2009, the organization has donated over 5,878 K9 ballistic vests and 3,300 NARCAN kits. Additionally, it has contributed more than $469,840 in medical insurance premiums through its Healthcare for K9 Heroes program. The organization has also provided over $186,621 in medical first aid kits and funded decoy training seminars. It supports law enforcement further by donating custom-fitted patrol vehicles and advanced training equipment.

Burleigh County Sheriff's Department's post | Facebook

The custom-built ballistic vests from VIK9s are designed for maximum comfort and protection for working K9s. These vests feature a heavy-duty zipper, velcro, and snap system for ease of use. They include a Dri-lex mesh liner for comfort and an adjustable girth with a paracord lacing system. Dual D-rings are included for leads and ID tags on both sides. Made in the USA with NIJ-certified ballistic panels, these vests offer vital organ protection during service.

The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department is led by Sheriff Kelly Leben and oversees various divisions including warrants, transports, civil duties, court security, administrative tasks, and training sections. The department manages civil process duties such as alcohol monitoring and transports while handling over 3,000 active warrants and 1,000 annual transports.