Sweden Township PD raising money for a K-9 cop
The newest face on the Sweden Township Police force will play a big role in combating the drug epidemic, have a good sense of smell –– and have four legs.
A $5,000 grant recently awarded by the Potter County Animal Assistance Project will help the department secure another K-9 following the death of a dog in July. On average, a K-9 costs $6,000 to $10,000.
“This grant is huge considering the local and national drug epidemic and this kind of support is greatly appreciated. Additional grants and fundraising will continue,” Chief Bryan Phelps said.
The K-9 will be fully certified in detecting methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana and cocaine, as well as tracking and article searches.
Phelps said he puts quite a bit of trust in the department’s dog trainer, Rich Yonlisky of Bullocks K9.
He said he is not eying a particular dog breed. “We just want to have the right dog,” Phelps said.
Today, Phelps and his family plan to travel to Lockport, N.Y., to check out a dog and see how it is around his children and wife. Phelps has been a K-9 handler for 17 years, and the dog would live with them.
Police dogs can be traced back to 1907 in New York City, and the first K-9s were German shepherds, according to the CrimeWire website. A K-9’s smell is at least 10,000 times stronger than a human’s. On average, the career for a police dog is between six and eight years.
“A K-9 is a very valuable resource,” Phelps said.
In the past, the department’s K-9 has been used in other municipalities, including Bradford, Lock Haven and St. Marys. In fact, Phelps said a K-9 at the Sweden Township is the only one within an hour to an hour-and-a-half of Sweden Township.
“This grant was the right thing to do,” said Patti Bowman, who is the vice president of the Potter County Animal Assistance Project, adding that the board voted unanimously to give the grant to the local department.
In the meantime, if something comes up where a K-9 is needed, the department would reach out to the state police, he said.
To help with the K-9 fundraising effort, send donations to the Sweden Township Police K-9 Fund, 129 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport Pa 16915.
“Once a K-9 has been selected, pictures and more information will surely follow,” Phelps said via the police department’s Facebook page.
