Hawaiʻi Department of Public Safety’s K9 Kahu receives protective vest from nonprofit

K9 Kahu, who is with Hawaiʻi State’s Narcotics Enforcement Division, received his bullet- and stab-protective vest due to a charitable donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s. 

K9 Kahu’s vest was sponsored by a fundraiser hosted by Kimberly Slaughter of Together Saving Paws and was embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Carefree Westies & Together Saving Paws.”

K9 Kahu is the division’s electronic storage device detection dog whose main duty is to help with criminal investigations by locating hidden cellular phones, electronic thumb drives and memory cards.

“K-9 Kahu is the only electronic storage detection dog of its kind in Hawaiʻi,” said Narcotics Enforcement Chief Jared Redulla. “Kahu is frequently deployed in support of law enforcement operations. The generosity of Vested Interests in K-9s, Inc., in helping keep K-9 Kahu safe is very much appreciated.”

Vested Interest in K9s was established in 2009. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S.-made, custom fitted and certified by the National Institute of Justice. In 2013, Vested Interest in K9s donated five bullet- and stab-protective vests to the Hawai’i Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division.

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s has provided more than 5,077 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million. It is made possible by both private and corporate donations. Each vest has a value of $1,800, weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds and comes with a five-year warranty.

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.

K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. 

For more information about Vested Interest in K9s, visit www.vik9s.org or call 508-824-6978.