Palau’s K-9 Program Remains in Crisis:

By: Justoria Marie Borja

Koror, Palau – Palau’s K-9 program, vital to strengthening border security and combating drug trafficking, is once again facing major challenges as management issues persist. Despite improvements in 2023, the program remains in a precarious state, with concerns raised about the long-term care and health of the remaining military dogs.

The program was established in 2020 with funding from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, initially bringing eight military dogs to Palau to assist the Drug Enforcement Administration (NEA) and Customs and Border Protection. However, the program quickly deteriorated after U.S. support ended in 2021. Lack of veterinary care, proper nutrition, and effective management have caused widespread concern.

Dr. Christine Desina Singio, a practicing veterinarian who was instrumental in bringing the dogs to Palau, has been a strong advocate for their care. She stressed that the dogs require specialized veterinary care, including regular blood tests and access to an X-ray machine. Dr. Singio cared for the dogs for one year and three months during her tenure, during which time she repeatedly requested a long-term plan for the dogs, knowing that initial U.S. support would end in 2021. Dr. Singio remains concerned about the lack of proper veterinary care, which is essential to maintaining the health of these high-value assets, which cost between $20,000 and $35,000 each.

Further complicating matters, veterinarian Amber Hinson was hired to evaluate the dogs but was only on site one week per quarter, for a total of only four visits. Hinson was not allowed to treat the dogs and lacked the necessary supplies, limiting her role to only conducting evaluations and not providing the comprehensive care needed.

The program’s ongoing problems can be attributed to poor planning and mismanagement. Despite the K-9 program’s initial promise, the lack of a sustainable, long-term plan for the care of the dogs has left the program’s future uncertain. Chairman Surangel Whipps Jr. acknowledged these challenges and stressed the need to learn from past mistakes during a memorial service following Keiko’s death. However, without any form of action and proper resource allocation, the future of Palau’s K-9 program remains precarious.

Attempts to reach current BPS Director Cary Levitre for comment were unsuccessful. As Palau continues to grapple with these challenges, the health and well-being of the remaining dogs is at risk and requires urgent attention to ensure their survival and effectiveness in defending the nation.

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