Police department raising money for new K9 officer

A York county police dog named “Brando” is about to retire from the force.
He’s worked for York Area Regional Police for the past seven years and is getting a bit old for the job.
His handler, Officer Michael Sampere is hoping to get another K-9 to train for the department, but it will come at a cost.
On Saturday night, a fundraiser was held at the Red Lion Elk’s Club to help pay for a new dog and it’s training.
K-9 officers add a unique component to police departments because of their incredible sense of smell.
“Their sense of smell is 200 times better than humans, they’re able to differentiate and break apart odors, whereas somebody would smell a pizza when they walk into a pizza shop, the dog can actually break apart the separate scents, the pepperoni, cheese and dough and the person who made it,” said Officer Sampere.
It can also help in searching for drugs or missing people.
The department is hoping to raise at least $13,000 to pay for a new dog and four weeks of initial training.
The ultimate goal is to have two K-9 officers on the police force.