Pittsburgh police welcome new K-9 officer to force

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Police Department welcomed its newest member to the force Monday.

K-9 officer Ari was purchased for $7,000 with donations and the security management company Amguard.

The K-9 was introduced to the media at the Canine Training Academy on Washington Boulevard.

The 17-month-old German shepherd is from Holland and has been partnered with police officer Logan Hanley

"The dog already knows what he's doing.  He knows what to look for.  I have to learn to read and handle him, so there's more training me than training the dog," said Hanley.

After 12 weeks of training, the K-9 team will be assigned to patrol and explosives.

The announcement comes four months after the death of Pittsburgh police K-9 Rocco.

"I think you experience when Rocco died, the dog actually becomes a partner of the officer and also a member of his or her family," said Pittsburgh Police Chief Regina McDonald.

Rocco was stabbed to death while assisting officers with an arrest.

Related story: Memorial service held for Pittsburgh K-9 officer killed in line of duty

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