Ikon, a police officer dog initially offered to the Tarentum Police Department, has found a new home with the Coraopolis Police.
The 18-month-old German Shepherd, originally gifted by country singer Brian Kelley, was turned down by Tarentum but welcomed by Coraopolis, where he is set to join their K-9 unit.
Officer Dan McMurtrie of the Coraopolis Police Department picked up Ikon on Thursday, beginning the bonding process that is essential for future patrol work.
While Ikon isn’t yet on duty, Chief Jason Stewart of Coraopolis believes Ikon will be a valuable addition to the department.
“He’s officially with us now, though he’s not on patrol yet. We feel confident he’ll be an asset,” said Stewart.
Tarentum officials were surprised when Kelley, the former frontman of Florida Georgia Line, introduced the dog during a benefit concert in August.
The concert, hosted by Kaley’s Kops at No Offseason Sports in West Deer, was meant to raise money for a future Tarentum police dog.
However, instead of cash, Kelley brought Ikon onto the stage as a donation. Despite the unexpected gesture, Tarentum declined the offer, stating that their plan was to purchase and train a puppy for their department.
Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf clarified that Tarentum wanted funds to buy a puppy, allowing the dog to bond with its officer from a young age.
Unfortunately, there were no profits from the concert to fund this plan, as the promoters faced a loss on ticket sales.
Despite this, Kaley Bastine, the teenager behind Kaley’s Kops, expressed her happiness that Ikon has found a home so close to her.
Kaley’s Kops was initially started to support local police through fundraising efforts like selling cookies and lemonade.
“Kaley is thrilled that Coraopolis took Ikon and that it is close to home so we can go visit,” said her mother, Jamie Bastine.
A message from Kaley’s Kops Facebook page extended gratitude to the Coraopolis Police for giving Ikon a home, emphasizing the importance of supporting law enforcement and their K-9 companions.
Ikon, who was trained at Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana, will undergo additional training with Officer McMurtrie to become certified in narcotics detection.
He will be joining another police dog, Rhaegar, and Officer Shawn Quinn. Chief Stewart mentioned that the department has had a K-9 unit for over 23 years, and they were planning to expand their resources even before Ikon came into the picture.
The addition of Ikon will mean that Coraopolis will have access to a police dog for two shifts each day, which will also benefit surrounding police departments.
Stewart noted, “You can’t have enough tools. Our K-9 officer put him through an initial evaluation, and he feels confident in Ikon.”
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Meanwhile, Tarentum continues its fundraising efforts for a future police dog of their own.
The cost for a police dog can range from $15,000 to $45,000, with an additional $10,000 for training. Chief Bill Vakulick remains hopeful that their K-9 unit will be operational within the next year.
Recently, Tarentum received an $83,000 state grant to equip a vehicle for their future K-9 unit, marking a step forward in their goal.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.