On March 7, 2015 the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office received bulletproof vests for canine members. The vests were purchased through the Safe Surfing Foundation and presented by Bedford County, VA, Sheriff Michael Brown.
Jim Hale from the Nitro Moose Lodge was instrumental in making the purchases possible. Each of the following Moose Lodges donated funds they raised for the vests for the dogs:
Nitro Moose Lodge #565
Charleston Moose Lodge #1444
St. Albans Moose Lodge #868
Several Deputy Sheriffs also received donations to cover the remainder of the costs of the vests for the five patrol dogs. The cost of those vests was roughly $5,000.00. Another key partner and donor was Valley West Animal Hospital.
Enough was raised to purchase vests for the bloodhounds and bomb dogs when they are old enough to be sized. Those vests will also be purchased through Safe Surfin Foundation.
Journalists interested in interviewing donors may email Corporal Humphreys for some contact information.