Earlier this month, 21 News reported that Austintown Township is going through with the decision to retire two K9 units early as July 6 as a cost cutting-measure following the failure of the township's police levy.

Now, a township trustee is telling 21 News while that decision still stands, there could be some hope for the police department's K9 program for at least a little while longer.

Township Trustee Bruce Shepas tells 21 News following the decision to retire the two K9s early, trustees challenged the police department to raise funds to continue the program.

Shepas says just a day later, the department came up with $10,000, which is enough to continue the program for at least the remainder of 2025. The K9 program costs roughly $20,000 a year to run.

Now that the money has been raised, the township reached out to the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office to see if it can use the donated funds for the program.

If approved, the K9 department can continue for at least the rest of the year.