Fundraising pays off; police dog to join force

Staff report

CAMPBELL

A three-month campaign to get a dog for the Campbell police force paid off — $16,000, to be specific.

Training for patrol officer Joe Pavlansky, who’s been on the force five years, and the dog, likely to be a Belgian malinois, began this week, said Detective Sgt. John Rusnak, who spearheaded the campaign to raise the money.

The training will take six weeks. The dog should be added to the force by the middle of May, said officer John Gulu.

A total of $12,000 will pay for the dog and the training at Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pa.

The remaining $4,000 will cover a kennel enclosure for the back seat of the K9 cruiser and a “hot and pop” automatic door opener for Pavlansky, who will be able to open the door by remote if he needs the dog. The device also turns on the cruiser’s sirens and lights if it gets too hot in the car for the dog.

Police raised money for the dog by soliciting donations from individuals and businesses.

They also hosted a dinner Saturday.

“Of course, police want to thank everyone who contributed,” Gulu said.