SHARON

A former Shenango Valley resident anonymously donated a large sum of money to Sharon Police Department as a challenge to other local residents and business owners.

Chief Thomas Burke had announced in June that the department was trying to raise enough money to buy a dog.

The donor, a retired businessman who lives out of town most of the year, gave the police department $5,000 toward the purchase of a police dog. He said he wants to see other local residents, and especially businesses, donate money to the department -- even if someone has to "shame them into it."

"If I, as a retired small business owner, can donate this much to a cause, then certainly the growing businesses can do this much or more," he said. He pointed out that the money stays in the municipality and can be used as a tax write-off.

The donor described the department getting their first dog as a "history-making thing. ... make a big deal out of it."

The donor said he's tired of seeing companies make money from the area and then take that money right back out of the community.

The donor even suggested that Sharon council members should each donate one month of their council salaries to the department for the dog.

"The problem is the people in the whole valley ... nobody has any pride anymore," he said.

Born and raised in Sharon, he recalled what the Shenango Valley used to be and how much it has deteriorated. "It is a crying shame. It's sickening to see what's happened to both Sharon and Farrell."

Burke said he doesn't have a total amount on what the department has collected so far but they do have enough to buy a dog. He said they may get the dog as soon as Friday.

After the department gets the dog, Patrolman Jeff Brown, who will be the dog's handler, will go through five weeks of training, Burke said.

Despite the fact that the department has enough money to purchase the dog, Burke said they are still soliciting donations for other dog-related expenses and possible unexpected expenses. He said a bank account has been set up strictly for funds for the dog.

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

Pet Supplies Plus, Niles, donated a lifetime supply of dog food.