While body armor is a part of every law enforcement officer’s uniform, that hasn’t always been the case for K9s in Columbus County – until now.
The Columbus Humane Society presented protective vests to each of the dogs deployed with the sheriff’s office in a special ceremony last week. Vests and a K9 first aid kit cost $900 each.
The dogs, their handlers, and members of the society gathered at Hidden Language Dance in Whiteville to help the dogs suit up for service.
The county has six K9 officers: Law, a tracking bloodhound; Gunny, a Belgian Mallinois trained in tracking and narcotics detection; Cooper, a Labrador that tracks humans and narcotics; Rex, a Hungarian shepherd that specializes in bomb detection, apprehension and handler protection; Xena, a German shepherd that specializes in school security, searching for THC products, vapes, marijuana and firearms; and Vamp, trained in detecting drugs and apprehending suspects.
Nationally, seven K9s were killed or seriously injured in the line of duty last year. Dozens more sustained minor injuries. Police dogs are frequently stabbed, cut or clubbed due to being in close contact with criminal suspects during apprehensions. K9 vests are designed to protect the animal from knives as well as bullets.
Bonnie Inman of the Humane Society said the group raised funds for the vests to help the officers and their four-footed partners.
Inman said the Humane Society is working to raise funds for two more vests, to outfit Xena and Chadbourn’s K9.
“The dogs work to protect us just like their handlers,” she said. “They need to be taken care of, too. This was just a way we could help.”
To donate, contact the Columbus County Humane Society via Facebook.
Photos courtesy Anna Clewis Kennedy
