The Sharon Police Department is preparing to get its own police dog.

Police Chief Thomas Burke, along with Patrolman Jeff Brown and Sharpsville Patrolman Tom Borton, made a presentation to Sharon City Council Thursday with the help of Ron, Sharpsville's K-9, a German shepherd.

Burke said the cost of the dog and training will be about $12,000 but he has been soliciting pledges to cover the costs. The dog will train and live with Brown, and Pet Supplies Plus, Niles, donated a lifetime supply of dog food, he said.

The dog won't just be used for sniffing drugs but also for tracking and recovering lost children and adults or crime suspects, Burke said. The dog can be used to control crowds and in local elementary schools as part of the DARE program, he said.

Borton, Ron's handler, demonstrated how the dog works.

The department expects to get the dog as early as August but no later than November, Brown said. He said there will be a mutual aid agreement with neighboring departments who may need the dog's service.

Burke didn't need a vote from council to get the dog, but all of the council members gave him a verbal okay.

"I myself am very much for it," Councilman George Gulla said.

Councilman Raymond Fabian asked that the city have a contract with Brown that will allow Brown to keep the dog after the dog no longer works with the department. Fabian said he doesn't want to see a dog taken away from its handler.

Burke also asked council to consider pledging money toward the purchase of the dog.

Anyone who wishes to make a contribution to the City of Sharon Police Department K-9 Fund may call the department at (724) 983-3210.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharon-herald.com