What happen to a police K-9 if his coach recede ? If the pawl is still capable of do the police force , he stick around on duty and begins school with a new handler . As you’re able to ideate , this is a elusive transition for the dog and a tough transition for the handler . Many think that it is unjust to both the man and the dog , and one officeholder in Ohio has make up one’s mind to do something about it .

With the help of community members , one Ohio police force officer was set to have his K-9 cooperator retire with him . Matt Hickey , a former police force officer for the Marietta , Ohio Police Department was afraid that hisK-9 companion , Ajax , was going to be auctioned off after he retired . A GoFundMe Thomas Nelson Page was set up to raise money to buy Ajax , but as it turn over out the money was not take .

When Hickey pull back he was distinguish that Ajax still had many year of inspection and repair left , and because he belong to the police department he was public property . Therefore , the cad had to be auctioned to the high-pitched bidder , like all other public property , instead of being able to go home with him . After mould with the K-9 for four years , Hickey was n’t going to give up without a fight .

This Retired Cop Bought His K-9 Partner for a $1

Photo: Sean

The city manager of Marietta , Joe Matthew , said that he would have loved to have sent the dog home with his manager . I ’m certain most folks involved in the situation finger the same mode too . Unfortunately , it would have been a rift ofstate lawto allow that to occur .

Hickey was outraged and complain publically , attracting the attention of local medium and many members of the community . The GoFundMe page was start , and as of last workweek it had raise more than $ 70,000 .

The GoFundMe stated that Hickey could have keep the dog if he had taken a position as an auxiliary police officer , essentially a volunteer policeman , but Hickey could n’t take that fling due to unidentified health concern . gratefully , a state administrative rule , disclose by City Law DirectorPaul Bertram , stated that Hickey could purchase the dog without Ajax having to be put up for auction bridge .

This Retired Cop Bought His K-9 Partner for $1

Photo: Kristine Gunter

After Bertram check with the appropriate authority figure , he was able to call Hickey and explain that he couldpurchase the dog … for just $ 1 . The law states that Hickey can buy the while of public property , in this face Ajax , but it does n’t specify how much needs to be charged for the point . Hickey formally bribe Ajax on Thursday , February 4 , 2016 .

Every in effect history deserves a happy ending , right ? And this story seems to have a very joyful ending , but it gets even better . harmonise to the GoFundPage , the extra proceeds ( that ’s more than $ 70,000 ) will go toVested Interest in K9 ’s , an system that provides knife thrust and bullet protective vest for dogs working in law enforcement .

Somepolice K-9handlers may not be able to take their canine fellow with them when they retire for personal reasons , but I think that all retiring animal trainer should have the same opportunity that Hickey did . It ’s definitely a hard adjustment for the officer , as they have formeda bondwith their cooperator .

This Retired Cop Bought His K-9 Partner for $1

Photo: WLBZ2 / Screenshot

It ’s also a Brobdingnagian adjustment for the dog . They ’ve learn to work side - by - side with their coach and they ’ll have to see a unexampled style and adjust to working with a Modern handler . Not only will that mean that the K-9 officer will be out of mission for a piffling while , but the young team may not be as compatible as the old one – making the blackguard less effective at do his duties .