Jeannette police seek funds for extra K-9 patrol unit

Police dog Kilo wants to get to work in Jeannette. He just doesn’t have a ride.

The city police department is hoping to raise enough money to buy a patrol unit for the 5-year-old Dutch shepherd and its handler, Officer Matthew Painter, to add the out-of-work dog to the force.

“He’s ready to hit the streets today,” Painter said. “Definitely he wants to come back to work.”

Police Chief Donald Johnston Jr. estimated that the patrol unit would cost about $48,000. He called it a “unique opportunity” for the city — Kilo could join a Belgian Malinois named Diesel that already is a member of the department with handler Sgt. James Phillips.

Having two police dogs covering shifts would be a benefit to Jeannette, Johnston said.

Phillips and Painter pitched the integration of Kilo into the department to council in October. Painter was permitted to keep the dog after he left the Uniontown department for Jeannette in 2021. The canine is certified in narcotics and patrol.

During his time in Uniontown, Kilo was instrumental in locating drugs and weapons and apprehending suspects, Painter said. The goofy, high-energy workhorse can be a positive asset for the city, he said.

By bringing Kilo onto the force, the city would be able to avoid costs typically associated with police dogs such as purchase and training, Johns­ton said.

“I hate to see (Kilo) go to waste,” he said.

The city department has previously been successful at raising money for a patrol unit outfitted for a police dog.

The SUV used by Diesel and Phillips hit the streets in 2021 after being completely funded by donations. Phillips holds gun bashes annually and sells T-shirts that help with the costs of equipment and training for Diesel, and previously for Arees, a now-retired German shepherd.

Phillips has offered some of those donations to outfit a second police dog vehicle with extra equipment needed to keep Kilo safe.

Anyone who wants to contribute toward the cost of a vehicle for Kilo and Painter can drop off donations at city hall or mail them to the police department at 110 S. Second St., Jeannette, PA 15644. Checks should be made payable to Jeannette K-9 Fund.