ADAMS TWP — Adams Township Police Department is looking to expand its ranks — in a “four-legged” sort of way.

Chief of police Shawn Anglum and officer Jason Giallorenzo explained plans to establish a K-9 program and purchase a police dog at Monday night's supervisor meeting.

Talks regarding the program date back to before the pandemic.

“COVID hit,” Anglum said. “That program just dissolved right there and then.”

Anglum said he and Giallorenzo have been working the last few months to re-establish plans for the program.

“We're looking to get our first canine and Jason into the training come June,” Anglum said.

Anglum added if everything goes as scheduled, the township's first canine will be in service by the end of August.

Giallorenzo said the police department will contract services through Shallow Creek Kennels, a police service dog training facility out of Sharpsville.

Ideally, the department will get a Belgian Malinois. Giallorenzo said it's also looking at German and Dutch shepherds.

The selection is “fluctuating,” Giallorenzo said.

Giallorenzo explained the canine will be a “dual-purpose dog.” This means it will be trained in narcotics as well as apprehension and tracking. Giallorenzo will be the canine's handler.

“That dog will be with me 24-7,” Giallorenzo said.

“Being a canine handler is a big undertaking,” Anglum said. “It's like a child.”

The department needs to outfit a vehicle with canine equipment, according to Giallorenzo.

Anglum said this hardware would include heat sensors and a quick-release button to let the dog out of the vehicle if Giallorenzo needed assistance.

Anglum said the police department is looking to spend $37,000 to get the K-9 program started. This includes purchasing and training the dog, training Giallorenzo and outfitting the department to handle a K-9 unit.

Anglum said expanding the program in the future will simply be a matter of buying a dog. The township has budgeted the money to cover the program startup.

Giallorenzo said the career life of a police dog is typically 6 to 8 years. When the dog reaches retirement age, Giallorenzo said he'd purchase it from the township.

“The dog can spend the rest of its retirement with me and enjoy his life outside of serving our community,” Giallorenzo said.

If something happens to Giallorenzo, the department will assign another officer to be the dog's handler.

Giallorenzo, who has been with the township police department since 2016, said it's been his goal to establish a K-9 unit since he became a police officer. He attributes his interest in being a canine handler to his mother's veterinary work.

“I just grew up with dogs and cats, you name it,” Giallorenzo said.

Russell Ford, supervisor chairman, voiced his support of the department's K-9 plans.

“I think this is a very progressive, wonderful thing for our township,” Ford said.

Supervisors unanimously approved a contract with Shallow Creek Kennels, contingent on the township solicitor's review.

The police department is accepting public donations to offset startup costs. Anglum said these can be sent to the department at 690 Valencia Road, Mars, PA 16046. Checks should be payable to Adams Township, with “police K-9” written on the memo line.