Perrigo Animal Health, Walmart Provide Ultimate Protection for St. Louis Police Patrol K-9s

OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The St. Louis Police Department's K-9 unit will now be protected in the line of duty thanks to the support of PetArmor^®, a brand of Perrigo Animal Health, and Walmart. In partnership with Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. -- a nonprofit organization that provides bullet- and stab-protective vests to police departments nationwide -- the group donated four protective vests to help keep the Missouri-based K-9 officers safe.

Thousands of law enforcement K-9s put their lives on the line to protect America on a daily basis. They are usually the first officer to enter a dangerous situation, and help track and neutralize violent criminals, sniff out illegal or explosive materials and search for survivors of natural disasters. In most cases, law enforcement agencies do not have the budget to purchase K-9 protective vests because they cost $1,050 each. As a result, police dogs are left unprotected while fighting crime. 

"Our police K-9s play an important role in the department's overall mission to help fight crime and keep citizens safe," said St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Police Chief Sam Dotson. "We are thrilled that PetArmor is helping to protect four of our K-9s by donating ballistic vests. This level of protection is crucial to helping ensure that our K-9s can complete their jobs safely and effectively."

The K-9 vest recipients and their human counterparts are:

• Barron-Z and Officer Jermaine Jackson
• Leo and Officer James Siebum
• Gunner and Officer Saleem Muhammad
• Body and Officer Tabitha Garnhart

For more information about Perrigo Animal Health's partnership with Vested Interest in K9s, visit petarmor.com/vested-interest.

About Perrigo Animal Health

Perrigo Animal Health is a division of Perrigo Company plc (NYSE: PRGO; TASE), a leading global manufacturer of over-the-counter healthcare products. Comprised of Sergeant's, SENTRY^® and PetArmor^® brands, Perrigo Animal Health brings quality, affordable flea and tick treatments, health and well-being solutions, and consumables for dogs and cats to grocery, mass, dollar, drug, club and pet specialty retailers. For more information, visit perrigoanimalhealth.com.

About Vested Interest in K9s

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity located in East Taunton, Mass., whose mission is to provide bullet- and stab-protective vests for law enforcement dogs throughout the U.S. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K-9 officers. President Sandy Marcal began working with law enforcement agencies in 2000 to coordinate efforts between various law enforcement agencies, vest sponsorships, fundraising events and the media within Massachusetts. In 2011, efforts were expanded to assist police dogs throughout the U.S. and more than 1,540 law enforcement dogs in 49 states have received lifesaving body armor from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Learn more at vik9s.org.

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SOURCE Perrigo Animal Health

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