Police dogs face many of the same dangers as their human counterparts while in the line of duty, but they don’t always have access to resources they need to stay safe.
A grant from Protection4Paws, a nonprofit dedicated to providing K-9s across the country with lifesaving equipment, is helping Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office protect their furry partners through their donation of a Buddy Bag K-9 Medical Kit.
“These incredible dogs never hesitate to protect us,” President and Founder of Protection4Paws Tina Richardson wrote in an email to The Dispatch. “Our goal is to make sure they have the protection they deserve in return and that every working K-9 has the opportunity to make it home safely at the end of every shift.”
Since its start in 2017, Protection4Paws has provided 568 police dogs with Buddy Bags, according to numbers Richardson provided. Each Buddy Bag contains bandages, medications, a leg splint and other equipment that might be needed in a trauma situation.
In addition to protecting K-9s, many supplies in the Buddy Bag can be used to keep deputies and civilians alive until emergency medical personnel arrive.
“Every contribution – whether it’s a donation, purchasing merchandise or simply sharing our mission – helps provide lifesaving equipment that protects the dogs who protect our communities,” Richardson said.
Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said their four-legged partners are not only an essential tool but also a part of the family. They keep deputies from being in harm’s way, he said, but they’re also valuable companions.
“They can search houses. They can search for odor detection (and) drugs. They do apprehension,” Hawkins said. “A lot of things these dogs do (is) to help the officers, and we want to try to protect them the best we can.”
The department currently has seven dogs, Hawkins said, each of which are trained in a specific discipline. Dogs are paired with a handler and they spend every moment with them, even going home together at the end of the day.
“These dogs are funny,” Hawkins said. “When they’re at home and they’re in the world, they’re in family mode. They’re playing with the kids. When the handler puts his uniform on, he knows, ‘OK, it’s time to go to work.’ He’s ready at the door, waiting to go.”
In an effort to make sure these pups keep a healthy work-life balance, handlers often bring them on family vacations as well, Hawkins said.
In January, LCSO Lt. Adam Honsinger was paired with Taser, a Belgian malinois trained in tracking, apprehension and odor detection. They’ve been connected at the hip ever since.
“My wife is great with him. … She’s able to take care of him,” Honsinger said. “But as far as me and him, we’re inseparable.”
Hawkins said LCSO is always looking for ways to better protect their K-9s and this grant was just one opportunity to do that. The office is grateful they were chosen and hopes similar opportunities arise in the future, he said.
“Hopefully we’ll never need a trauma kit for a dog, but it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it,” Hawkins said.
Protection4Paws has donated more than $1 million in lifesaving equipment to working K-9s across the United States but their work is far from over, Richardson said.
To support an active K-9 grant or to make a direct impact on a working K-9 in need, visit protection4paws.com/k9-fundraisers.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
