Jeannette police are looking for a new four-footed member to join the force with an $11,000 donation from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office.
Chief Donald Johnston Jr. said handler Sgt. Jim Phillips has started the search for a new police dog as German shepherd Arees nears retirement. He expected the animal could hit the streets in early 2022.
District Attorney John Peck said the money will cover the price of the dog and its training.
The donation comes from cash seizures in drug-related arrests, he said.
“I’m extremely happy to be able to provide to the City of Jeannette to assist law enforcement in the Jeannette community,” Peck said.
The department is grateful Peck approved the request, Johnston said. The dog will be trained in narcotics and patrol, following in Arees’ footsteps.
The dog and Phillips have been involved in numerous arrests, searches and community events.
Arees joined the force about six years ago.
The department’s police dog program has received immense support from the community over that time, enabling Phillips to buy a 2020 Ford Explorer Interceptor that was funded solely by donations.
That patrol unit, which cost $47,611, hit the streets this year.
The support helped Phillips fulfill a promise that the department’s police dog program wouldn’t become a cost burden to city taxpayers.
He holds gun bashes annually, except in 2020, and sells T-shirts that help with Arees’ costs for equipment and training.
He gets food donated monthly by Tractor Supply in East Huntingdon.
