Penn Township swears in new police dog, named after longtime resident, business owner

The name of Penn Township’s new police dog may sound familiar to residents.

That’s no coincidence. The canine shares the last name of resident and business owner Janet Whirlow, who donated $15,000 to help the police department purchase its next police dog.

Officer Blake Danowski led Whirlow into the municipal building Wednesday — pausing briefly to “greet” Janet.

Janet Whirlow opened Janet’s Restaurant at the corner of Route 130 and Harrison City-Export Road a half-century ago. A dog lover, she reached out to the police department months ago hoping to donate to the police dog program, police Chief John Otto said.

“Janet is a local legend,” Otto said. “You’re looking at about a $15,000 donation from somebody in our community to try to help us out.”

The department’s former police dog, Mingo, retired about three months ago following a ceremonial send-off during a Penn-Trafford High School football game.

Selected from Shallow Creek Kennels in Mercer County, Whirlow is the township’s sixth police dog, Otto said. He completed his training Oct. 24, Danowski said.

“(He’s been) doing good things so far,” said Danowski, Whirlow’s handler. “Getting along at home, all that fun stuff.”

The dog has already proved himself useful to the township, Otto said.

“Whirlow wasn’t home a week or two and has already tracked a stolen vehicle for us,” Otto said. “He’s off to a good start.”

Police dogs are particularly helpful for drug-related investigations, Otto said.

“They are very valuable dogs,” Otto said. “The obvious one is the drug trade. We take the drug trade in Penn Township seriously. It’s one of our priorities.”

Police dog programs around the region have been in the spotlight as some departments bring on new dogs and others retire, while the workload of two canines in one municipality was abruptly halted.

An estimated 15 departments in Westmoreland County have police dogs, and most are certified to serve a dual purpose, working in both narcotics detection and general patrols.

Members of Bushy Run American Legion Post 260 also presented a $1,250 donation to support Whirlow and additional training requirements for Danowski, a Marine Corps veteran.

“As a veteran, that’s a lot of money for folks that are sitting around a VFW enjoying each other’s company to come up with $1,250,” Otto said. “We certainly appreciate those private partnerships that we try to maintain and develop.”