Robo-Dogs for Wellsburg P.D.? PETA Offers $5,000 Toward Tech Instead of K-9s
For Immediate Release:
May 8, 2026
Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382
As the Wellsburg Police Department seeks donations toward purchasing a dog to use as a K-9, PETA sent a letter today to Chief of Police Michael Allman with an offer to donate $5,000 toward the purchase of a tactical robot or other state-of-the-art technology instead.
PETA points out that dogs used for detection and tracking can’t volunteer to risk their lives, yet many have been injured and killed after being left in hot cars, struck by cars, assaulted by suspects, and even abused by trainers or handlers. Tactical robots, drones, and portable mass spectrometers can all be deployed in situations that could otherwise result in serious injury or death for K-9s and human officers.
“Police officers willingly take on the daily risks of their duties, but dogs can’t sign up to risk their lives, yet many are injured or killed even when not on duty,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA is eager to help the Wellsburg Police Department invest in state-of-the-art technology that will assist police officers, protect the community, and won’t harm any dogs in the process.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Allman follows.
May 8, 2026
Michael Allman
Chief of Police
Wellsburg Police Department
Via e-mail
Dear Chief Allman:
I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to offer a $5,000 donation toward the purchase of technology, such as a tactical robot, instead of a new K-9. There are excellent reasons for this, if I may elaborate:
As you know, unlike their human counterparts, K-9s do not sign up to risk their lives. Dogs used for detection and tracking are prone to serious injury and even death when they are left in hot cars, struck by cars, assaulted by suspects, or even abused by trainers or handlers, all incidents we track. Just a few months ago, K-9 Sheik of the Wheeling Police Department died after she was struck by a car. Last fall, K-9 Walker of the Summers County Sheriff’s Office strangled himself to death when his collar became stuck inside his off-duty kennel. In 2024, the former chief of the Pennsboro Police Department pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals for leaving his K-9 partner, Judge, in the back of his police cruiser when the vehicle wasn’t running and the outside temperature was around 90 degrees. These are merely a few examples from West Virginia; dogs used for police work suffer across the country, and there are certainly injuries and fatalities that aren’t reported publicly.
Instead of purchasing a dog, would you please plan to use the funds raised to purchase and train your officers in the use of state-of-the-art technology, such as tactical robots, drones, or portable mass spectrometers, which enhance safety and operational efficiency without risking anyone’s life? Your department may be able to secure additional funding for new technology through the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services, the DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. You might also find private or equipment-specific grant funding opportunities through PoliceGrantsHelp.com.
Thank you for your consideration and for all that you do to keep your community safe. We look forward to hearing from you.
Most respectfully,
Allison Fandl
Manager of Special Projects
Cruelty Investigations Department | PETA
