Ikon, police dog declined by Tarentum, finds new home

Ikon the police dog has found a home.

The 18-month-old German shepherd, gifted to — and declined by — Tarentum police from country singer Brian Kelley, will join the Coraopolis police department.

“Our officer picked him up on Thursday so they can start their bonding process,” Coraopolis Chief Jason Stewart said. “He’s officially with us now, though he’s not on patrol yet. We feel confident he’ll be an asset.”

Tarentum officials were surprised with the offering of the dog during an August benefit concert, hosted by Kaley’s Kops, at West Deer venue No Offseason Sports. The concert was a fundraiser to raise money for a future Tarentum police dog.

When Kelley, former frontman for Florida Georgia Line, walked the dog onto the stage, it came as a shock to Tarentum officials. But it didn’t fit into the borough’s plan for a police dog.

Manager Dwight Boddorf said borough officials told Kelley’s team they did not want a dog. Rather, they hoped for money to purchase a puppy that could bond with an officer.

There were no proceeds to disburse, as promoters took a loss on ticket sales.

Jensen Sussman, Kelley’s publicist, said at the time that Kelley wanted to help support the local community in any way possible. Sussman was not immediately available for comment Monday.

Jamie Bastine, who oversees Kaley’s Kops for her teenage daughter, said Kaley plans to attend an upcoming event when Ikon is introduced to the community.

The Harrison girl years ago started selling cookies and lemonade to help local police departments.

“Kaley is thrilled that Coraopolis took Ikon and that it is close to home so we can go visit,” Jamie Bastine said Monday.

A message posted Thursday to the Kaley’s Kops Facebook page read: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Coraopolis Police for giving Ikon a home. It brings me great joy to support the brave men, women and K-9s who serve in blue. Your dedication and care make a lasting impact on our community.”

Congressman Chris Deluzio, whose district includes Tarentum and Coraopolis, helped link Ikon with his new handlers.

He already was working to find funding for Stewart’s department to add a second dog and said the circumstances with Ikon were a perfect fit.

“I connected the dots,” Deluzio said. “Tarentum got a dog they couldn’t take, and now Coraopolis has a new dog that they’re excited about.”

Deluzio said his office is always willing to write letters of support for funding if he’s not able to secure money through the Legislature.

“We are ready, willing and able to help find funding sources,” he said.

Ikon, who came from Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind., will be paired with Officer Dan McMurtrie and will be certified in dual-purpose narcotics. It is the department’s second police dog, joining Officer Shawn Quinn and his dog, Rhaegar.

Stewart said the borough has had a police dog for at least the 23 years that he’s worked there. He was hoping to expand an already successful unit, and Ikon “kind of fell into our lap.”

The department had just started to explore avenues for grants and other funding, Stewart said.

“Without that donation, we wouldn’t have been able to make it work just yet,” he said.

After a three-month training period with McMurtrie, there will be access to a police dog on at least two shifts a day. It is a resource used by neighboring departments as well.

“You can’t have enough tools,” Stewart said.

“I’m for it. Our K-9 officer put him through an initial evaluation, and he feels confident in Ikon.”

In the meantime, Tarentum continues to fundraise for a dog of its own, with Chief Bill Vakulick saying he hopes a unit will be active within the next year.

The cost can range from $15,000 to $45,000 for the dog and $10,000 for monthslong training.

The borough was awarded an $83,000 state grant last month to cover initial expenses to equip a vehicle.