K-9s from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office made some new friends recently in Penn Hills.
The K-9 unit, made up of five furry officers and their handlers, is largely funded by grants and donations. The unit is dependent on these funds for training, medical care, food and equipment.
“I saw that they were doing a fundraiser for the dogs and selling raffle tickets,” said John Petrucci, president of the Rosedale Civic Association and a retired Allegheny County deputy sheriff. “I reached out to (Deputy Sheriff) Emily (Irwin) and let her know we were willing to donate to the medical fund.”
Patrucci said in conjunction with his personal nonprofit, the Petrucci Fund, the association was able to donate $2,000 to the unit.
“It’s very appreciated and just a way the community helps provide care, food and medicine (to the K-9 officers),” said Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus. “Donors over the years have donated tens of thousands of dollars to the unit. Most of our contributors care about the animals and care about the Sheriff’s Office.”
On June 8, Petrucci met with Irwin and Pete Perrier, both deputy sheriffs, and their respective K-9 partners, Lassen and Zeke, and presented them with a check.
“The K-9 (officers) do so much for Allegheny County,” Petrucci said. “People don’t always recognize the value of having a K-9 (officer) in the department. They’re a vital tool in policing.”
Petrucci said the association likely will continue to donate to the K-9 unit’s medical fund.
The Rosedale Civic Association — formed in March 2020 — is made up of longtime Rosedale community members. The group consists of about 120 members separated into subcommittees that focus on improvements in different parts of Penn Hills, including its Rosedale neighborhood.
The association pursues projects that would help add more life and entertainment to the area. In the past, it has renovated the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department’s park, revitalized Rosedale Park in Penn Hills and raised money for the volunteer fire department to buy protective gear.
For details about the association’s community service activities, visit rosedalecivicassocation222@gmail.com.
