It took a while to find the right fit, but Tarentum has its police dog.
The borough announced the arrival of Kilo, who is paired with Officer Jeremy Belusar. The team worked their first shift together on Tuesday.
“He’s a beautiful dog, and we’re lucky to get him,” Mayor Bob Lang said.
Belusar and Kilo are fresh off intensive training for public safety and investigative tactics that include how to track missing people and suspects, narcotics and building searches, community engagement and officer protection.
“He’ll be helpful with patrolling for drugs, tracking and catching the bad guys,” Lang said.
Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said Belusar was unable to provide comments while he focuses on his new duties and acclimates Kilo to the department and the area.
Boddorf did not provide the cost of Kilo.
He thanked residents and businesses that donated to the cause.
Typically, costs for a police dog unit can range from $15,000 to $45,000. Equipped vehicles cost about $80,000.
The borough last year received an $83,000 state grant to cover initial expenses for the specialized vehicle through help from state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Fox Chapel.
“K-9s are valuable assets,” Steele said. “They can help find missing people, fugitives, detect bombs and narcotics.
“They’re loyal, dependable partners for our police.”
Residents will get the chance to meet Kilo during upcoming social events in the borough.
Last August, borough officials were gifted a police dog by country music singer Brian Kelley during a benefit concert but ultimately declined the gesture.
That German shepherd, Ikon, went to the Coraopolis Police Department.
“We set this program up the right way because we didn’t want to rush into something without the proper support systems in place,” police Chief Bill Vakulick said in a release.
Boddorf said the arrival of Kilo follows months of work to ensure the borough was ready — legally, operationally and financially.
That included developing internal policies, executing legal and mutual aid agreements, securing insurance coverage and acquiring a special vehicle.
The necessary framework wasn’t in place when they were offered the dog last summer, Boddorf said.
“While it was tempting to fast-track the program, we recognized that accepting a police dog without the proper infrastructure would have been premature and potentially detrimental to both the animal and the department,” he said.
