A member of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department recently received a special gift. K9 Officer Rayla was a recipient of a StreetFighter ballistic vest from the non-profit organization, Brady’s K9 Fund.
Brady Snakovsky got the idea for his vest nonprofit in 2018 while he was watching A&E’s Live PD. The 8-year-old learned that most local police departments can’t afford the necessary, but expensive equipment. Working with his mother, Leah, the duo set up a GoFundMe account and started spreading the word. Today, the fund has grown and provided hundreds of life-saving ballistic vests to dogs across the country.
Brady’s K9 Fund is headquartered in Strongsville, Ohio.
“I am grateful for this donation and feel a lot better since K9 Rayla received her ballistic vest. That gives Rayla protection, and it will help save her life. She will be safer. I think all of the K9 dogs need one of these. They are a big help for our community,” Jackson County Sheriff’s Department officer Dakota Cuevas noted. Cuevas is also Rayla’s handler.
According to Brady’s K9 Fund’s website, “The LOF Defense Systems K9 StreetFighter is used by law enforcement and special forces K9 teams globally. Its lightweight design, rapid deployment and Outlast Thermal Management Technology make the StreetFighter a versatile, comfortable harness working dogs can wear for entire shifts ensuring they are always protected when confronting a threat.”
The ballistic vest is valued at $1,500.
“Brady’s K9 Fund would like to donate this style vest to K9 Rayla with Ofc. Dakota Cueves. We feel it’s an essential piece of protection for Rayla to have,” Brady’s K9 Fund President Leah Tornabene noted in an announcement.
There are an estimated 50,000 working dogs in the United States, according to Brady’s K9 Fund website. The non-profit organization has provided vests to 1,117 of those. Learn more about the program at https://bradysk9fund.com/.
