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We’ve seen their names in countless blotter and crime reports, and serving in shared service investigations with area communities.

Now Allenhurst Police K9 Bia and her handler Officer Anthony Carafa will get a wider audience as part of nationwide campaign.

The crime fighting duo, with an expertise is sniffing out illegal drugs, will appear on the cover of a 2017 calendar in support of vesting K9s, and featured will be the featured photograph for the month of April.

Carafa and Bia, a 6-year-old German Shepherd, have served together since 2012. Bia, who is  certified in patrol duties and narcotics, received her Vested Interest in K9s vest in 2014 as a Christmas sponsorship from family and friends. Her vest award was the first in the state.

Vested Interest in K9s is a nationwide nonprofit that has not only donated ballistic vests to the Allenhurst Police Department K9 but to over 2100 nationwide.

“We’re really excited to offer this nationwide calendar, as it shows a great variety: different law enforcement departments, police dog breeds, and general activities of K9 teams,” said Sandy Marcal, President of the East Taunton, Mass., Vested Interest in K9s. “For example, we have German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador retriever, Dutch Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and a Bloodhound in the calendar. In addition to Massachusetts Police Dogs, K9s from Alaska, California, Washington, New Jersey, Connecticut, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Rhode Island are featured.”

The calendar will serve as a fundraiser for the nonprofit’s mission of providing bullet and stab protective vest for law enforcement canines in all 50 states.

The calendar was funded by donations from sponsors, photographers and law enforcement entities, and 100 percent of its proceeds will go toward the purchase of the protective vests, Marcal said.

“Over the past seven and a half years, with generous donations from individuals, organizations and businesses, and lots of volunteer hours, we’ve helped vest over 2100 law enforcement dogs in all 50 states. Each donation of $1050 allows for the provision of one state-of- the art ballistic vest which comes with a 5- year warranty,” Marcal said.

Calendars are available online for $15 plus shipping via the Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. website or by calling at 508-824- 6978.

Tax deductible donations can be made via the website or by mailing Vested Interest in K9s, P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, Mass. 02718-2017.

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