The city of Butler could make great strides in many ways if the success of the police dog effort could be realized in other endeavors.

Many city residents never imagined that the community could come together so cohesively, quickly and generously on behalf of some goal, even one as important as acquring a police dog or two to provide a big boost to crime-fighting operations.

Over the years, there has been much talk about many different topics that never advanced far beyond the discussion stage. However, the police dog initiative has set a high standard that future projects should seek to emulate.

It was only about a month ago that Island neighborhood businessman Denny Offstein handed over a $10,000 one-year, interest-free loan to the city to spearhead the police dog fundraising campaign, and the project has rocketed forward from there.

As of last Thursday evening, the city had collected about $30,000 in donations, not including $5,000 pledged by the Butler County commissioners.

That money would be enough to purchase, train and equip two police dogs plus their handlers. However, the city has yet to decide whether to buy only one dog now and keep unused funds for the long-term sustainability of the program — or perhaps buy one dog this year and possibly buy another one next year.

The last 2012 training class for K-9s and their handlers at Shallow Creek Kennels near Hermitage begins on Aug. 27, so city officials will have to expedite their decisions regarding how they intend to get the program up and running.

Meanwhile, the interest in the program within the police department cannot go unnoticed. According to Police Chief Ronald Fierst, seven officers have submitted letters of interest for the K-9 handler position or positions. And, to further demonstrate their support for the program, department officers have visited businesses in an attempt to acquire additional contributions.

Although the fundraising effort has met its initial goal, additional contributions won't be turned away because of the ongoing needs associated with the program.

For example, a police dog must be certified annually by the North American Police Work Dog Association. Also, the working life of a police dog, although it can vary, averages about six or seven years, after which the dog must be replaced.

Having a funding base for keeping the program going, without ever having to seek money from the city's hard-pressed general fund budget, must be an ongoing goal.

It is businesses and the public — even people who are just in the city for the regular business day — who will benefit from the presence of such a dog or dogs.

Such dogs are much more than a visible deterrent to criminal activity. They are trained to sniff out illegal drugs, pursue fleeing suspects, subdue suspects, even track missing people.

Such a dog is a great bargain for the money that will be expended.

Fierst has assured the community that “we'll make the best decision for the handler and the training.”

Meanwhile, the community can feel a sense of pride over how it has come together so quickly to make possible this project that no doubt some people in the community harbored pessimism over its chance for success.

By way of the police dog program, the city has demonstrated the good it can accomplish if it truly is committed to the cause.

Now, it must seek out other beneficial endeavors for channeling similar commitment.