Safety & Security

UTA PD Adds Explosives Detection Dog

July 5, 2018

Kaiya is the newest pup to join UTA's Transit Police Department as an explosives detection dog. She, along with dogs Daisy and Bobbie, work to sniff out dangerous substances on UTA trains and buses.

Related To: Utah Transit Authority

The three-year-old chocolate lab/German shorthaired pointer mix is more than just a pretty face. Kaiya is the newest pup to join UTA's Transit Police Department as an explosives detection dog. She, along with dogs Daisy and Bobbie, work to sniff out dangerous substances on UTA trains and buses.

Kaiya spent the first years of her life as a family dog for one of the transit police officers, but it became clear that she needed a purpose and a positive outlet for her energy. She was donated to the department and now spends her days with her handler, Officer Michael Southworth, searching for explosives and practicing her skills. Kaiya recently completed a several-month training session and started work at UTA on June 18.

Thanks Kaiya, Officer Southworth, and the rest of the UTA Transit Police Department for working hard to keep our system safe.