The Greensburg Police Department is gearing up to buy a new Ford Explorer, which will be used for one of the city’s newest police dogs.

Costs for the vehicle will largely be covered by a $46,696 donation from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, which council members voted to accept this month.

“We’re extremely humbled by receiving the funds,” police Capt. Shawn Denning said. “In a time where any municipality is maxed out because of overtime and sicknesses and illnesses and things like that that have cost us extra … it’s going to help us out drastically and give us a little bit of breathing room on our finances.”

According to Denning, the vehicle is expected to cost about $35,000, plus additional costs to outfit the Explorer with appropriate safety features for the dog. Additions include a kennel that will be installed in place of the backseat, as well as technology that opens the door if the vehicle were to get too hot inside.

The vehicle will be used by Patrolman Ken Burke and police dog, Ace.

Ace was one of two police dogs purchased by the city in June for $11,000, plus $2,800 in shipping. Costs were covered with funding from the district attorney’s office.

The other dog, Enzo, retired in August because of non-life-threatening health problems. Enzo was replaced by Zeke.

Denning noted that Burke and Ace are using an older vehicle that is in need of replacement.

For District Attorney John Peck, providing funding for police dogs is critical because of the effect animals have on departments.

“I’ve always been supportive of police departments who want to purchase K-9s with drug-detection capabilities,” Peck said. “Of course, that also requires having some sort of vehicle to transport them and keep them available. I was happy to support the police department with funding for a vehicle that could be used and was specially outfitted to transport K-9s.”

Officials are working with Connellsville Meegan Ford in Fayette County to purchase the vehicle, which should be in operation within the next two months.

“It was a blessing to receive those funds from the county,” Denning said.

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