An Ohio police officer is battling against regulations and officials to keep his K9 companion as he moves to another department. Chad Hagan is moving to a police department in a different city and wants to become the owner of his dog Igor who has been aging. Hagan claims he is now ready for the retired life that comes after policing as a dog in the K9 unit.
Hagan owes a debt of gratitude to the German Shepherd who saved his life multiple times. According to Chad’s wife, the dog has also saved the lives of some of his other coworkers in the department. Now, after having an offer of $10,000 to purchase Igor rejected, Chad is trying everything he can to give the good boy a forever home.
Chad told Fox News about the ordeal: “It’s unfortunate because I’ve been with Igor [the dog] almost his whole life, and I know him personally. And the fact that they’re saying that he’s not slowing down and there’s no change… I don’t know who made that decision or who said that, but it’s not true.”
He continued, “Igor’s six-and-a-half, almost seven-years-old and everyone knows the dog starts slowing down. He’s past his prime. We wake up in the morning, get ready for work, [and] he doesn’t want to follow me down the stairs because his body’s aching. He’s been a working dog for however many years. He’s worked hard. He’s done his time, and he deserves to be at home with the family, be comfortable and just live the rest of his life happy.”
Chad’s wife, Danielle, has also given the go-ahead for Igor to join the family for the rest of his life, saying, “He protects the city that he works for. He has, multiple times, had many apprehensions. He’s a narcotics search dog. He has rescued many people, and in many different situations. He’s saved Chad’s life on multiple occasions. He is our family. He’s my husband’s best friend. He’s with him 24/7. Igor knows no one else.”
According to Chad, his $10,000 offer to buy the dog was met with stiff resistance from the police chief, who explained that the dog was a “tool.” As such, no counterproposal was made that gave Chad the ability to make a second offer.
In a petition on Change.com, the community is rallying behind Hagan as he continues to attempt to get the dog. The petition has already reached 33,000 signatures en route to its new, elevated, 35,000 signature goal. The petition also clearly lays out the legalities behind purchasing the dog and explains that Hagan is, in their opinion, going about things the right way.
It reads, “Though O.R.C 9.62 states that K9 handlers are to pay $1.00 for their K9 partners at retirement, Officer Hagan recognized that though K9 Igor was very close to retirement he would still purchase the city a new K9 with the above stated funds. This offer was denied, due to a clear act of spite.”
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