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Pittsburgh City Council

Council to continue funding K9 unit with $30,000 over three years.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • The K9 unit consists of 15 dogs that are trained in specialties like missing people, narcotics, explosives, and electronic equipment (discarded/hidden hard drives and phones)
  • Councilperson Kail-Smith noted that the K9 unit is the only time she sees kids in her district running to police officers instead of away from them
  • She expressed remorse that the Mounted Patrol is being disbanded, which had also helped bolster relationships with her district’s youth
  • Council voted on two bills to allow the Police Bureau a choice between breeders if needed because of availability. Spending would not exceed $30,000 total over three years regardless of breeders used.
  • It costs $9,500 to buy a dog from a breeder. The force typically only buys 1-2 dogs per year to replace dogs that have aged out or are otherwise no longer fit for service.

Connections to this story

Topics:
Public Safety & EMS
Governments:
Pittsburgh City Council
Public meetings:
City Council · May 19, 2025
Sources:
Resolution 2025-1822 — authorizing the Mayor and the Director of Public Safety to enter on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh into an Agreement…Resolution 2025-1823 — authorizing the Mayor and the Director of Public Safety to enter on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh into an Agreement…

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