9-Year-Old Boy Donates Birthday Money to Buy Bulletproof K9 Vests. Picture: Good Morning America

Instead of spending the money on computer games or the latest Lego set, the Minnesota boy gave his cash to the local Police K9 Unit, to help provide bullet proof vests for the dogs.

9-Year-Old Ethan Flint donated his birthday money to buy bulletproof vests for police dogs. Picture: GoFundMeSource:Supplied

“Some dogs have vests and some dogs didn’t and I didn’t think that was fair,” Ethan said in an interview with KMSP.

The fourth-grader, from St. Paul near Minneapolis, donated over $US1200 ($A1680) to the St. Paul Police K9 Foundation, after he collected his birthday money, then managed to raise more through social media.

The police warmly welcomed the gesture.

“I think it’s outstanding. That a 9-year-old could think of something like that is remarkable,” Sgt. John Linssen told ABC7. “A vest on a human is like a vest on a dog. It covers their body. It protects them from bullets and being stabbed.”

Ethan Flint hands over his birthday money to local police. Picture: FOX 9Source:Supplied

Ethan’s mother, Jennifer Flint, told KSTP-TV he wanted “to do something that he was interested in and give to a cause that he believed in.”

Along with other contributions, the unit will be able to purchase two new vests for their police dogs.

Ethan raised the money from birthday gifts and donations on social media. Picture: FOX 9Source:Supplied

“This kid has a heart of gold,” St. Paul Police Department Spokesman Steve Linders told ABC News.

This isn’t the first time the fourth-grader has raised money for a good cause. In 2012, on his fourth Birthday, Ethan donated money to help a zoo rebuild after flood damage.

Next year, Ethan hopes to help penguins and turtles.