A $25,000-plus donation from State Farm Insurance has allowed the Columbia Fire Department to acquire a new arson dog and pay for its training in Maine.

Mayor Pro Tem Andrea Waner tells 939 the Eagle that arson dog Tony is impressive.

“He’s fast and he sticks in that spot so he’s disciplined and so that was really cool to see how quickly he gets to the conclusion,” Waner says.

Tony works directly with Columbia Fire Battalion chief Jim Pasley, and they’ve already been involved in a few investigations. Fire chief Clayton Farr Jr. is praising State Farm for the donation. He’s impressed with Tony and Mr. Pasley.

“We’re the only certified arson or accelerant detection canine team in the state. So for us it becomes a very big regional asset,” Chief Farr says.

Pasley and Tony recently did a demonstration for reporters, highlighting Tony’s ability to detect accelerants. Chief Farr and Mayor Pro Tem Waner watched it, with reporters and other citizens.