K-9 unit okayed by Bath council

Police Chief Jim Minton reported to the Bath Town Council on Monday that over $13,000 in donations had been raised by the police to fund a K-9 officer.

Minton said the donations were received from both private citizens and local businesses, and that many of the donations came from people who lived outside of town.

"We even received donations from as far away as Martinsburg, sent in by people who thought it was a good idea," Minton said.

Minton asked council to approve the purchase of the dog, a vehicle and training for the dog handler, Corporal Craig Pearrell.

Council voted to approve the expenditures. Minton said he hoped to have the K-9 unit on the street by March 1.

In other police business, Minton reported that money from unpaid parking tickets was being collected and that habitual offenders were being tracked down.