WARNER ROBBINS, Ga. (41NBC/WMGT) — A Houston County Sheriff’s Office K-9 named Joby will be getting a new body armor to improve his ability to serve the community by sniffing out crimes.
Thanks to donations from Together Saving Paws, the sheriff’s office was able to purchase Joby a bulletproof and knife-resistant body armor to keep him safer in the field.
Joby works alongside the Juvenile Justice Department as a dual-purpose dog that helps detect electronic software, such as flash drives and phones, that can be used as criminal evidence during a search warrant. Joby also serves as an emotional support animal for victims in the Juvenile Justice Department.
“We don’t get to pick and choose the environment we operate in, so if we had to go into an area that might be detrimental to his safety, just like we’re going to wear a vest, he’s going to wear his vest,” said Sgt. said Ben Lashley. Lashley, the investigator, is Joby’s supervisor.
Joby is one of two K-9 deputies in the state of Georgia trained in electronic software detection. The sheriff’s office said the K-9 is currently awaiting measurements for his vest and will be able to use it within the next few months.