WARREN Officials to donate time and money so police dog can live with handler

The chief and other city police officers are going to construct the pen.
By DENISE DICKand PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Arros will soon have a place of his own.
Police Chief John Mandopoulos and several city council members are going to donate money for materials to build a 9-by-16-foot pen to house the department's newest police dog.
"Right now Arros is being kept in a cage at night and that's not enough room," the chief said. "This is a very expensive dog and we need to make sure that it is properly taken care of and has a good place to rest."
Last week, council passed legislation to pay $9,040 to Vohne Liche Kennels Inc. of Indiana for Arros, the police dog, and the training of its handler, Officer Sherrey Ewanish.
The chief said it will cost about $250 for the concrete pad.
Councilman Robert A. Marchese, D-at large, chairman of council's finance committee, said council members decided this week that they will make donations to pay for the concrete pad that will be built in Ewanish's back yard.
"If each council member pays $20, that will pay for the concrete," Councilman Gary Fonce said.
The chief noted that he and other police officers are going to construct the pen.
"We will provide all the labor at no cost," Mandopoulos said.
Auditor's ruling
Officials decided to make the donations after the city's auditor said that city funds couldn't be used for the concrete pad because that would be a permanent improvement on private property.
The chief had said that if something couldn't be worked out, he would house the dog at a kennel and send the bill to the city.
The city will pay for the fencing that will be used to build a pen with a roof for the dog and for a doghouse. The officer's yard already is fenced, Marchese said.
Because the fence and the doghouse are movable and not considered a permanent improvement, the city can foot the bill for that portion, Fonce said.
dick@vindy.com sinkovich@vindy.com