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How a Marietta police officer can keep his K9

Posted at 8:50 AM, Feb 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-02 08:50:59-05

It's a story heard around the country about a small town in Ohio.

A retired Marietta police officer is fighting to keep his K9 partner he's had for three years—the dog he views as a family member.

But Officer Matt Hickey was devastated to learn that when he decided to retire after 30 years, his K9 Ajax couldn't come with him. 

"While Officer Hickey has earned his retirement, his partner Ajax has several working years left before he is ready to join the ranks of the retirees," according to a post on the city's Facebook page.

Trying to find a solution to the problem, an area dog trainer told Marietta city officials about a similar situation in which another city sold their K9 to a former handler for $4,000. 

But city officials determined that since the K9 is property of the city, Ohio law mandates that Ajax must be sold to the highest bidder at auction.

That's when online animal lovers across the nation took action.

They started a GoFundMe page to raise money for Hickey—a page that has since raised nearly $69,000 to bid.

But after all the turmoil the situation has caused, the city is now offering a different option. If former Officer Hickey becomes a member of the auxiliary force, he can continue as Ajax's handler, city officials say.

It's an option, but GoFundMe organizers say it's not a done deal. The auxiliary officer position still needs to be approved by all parties.

Still, city officials say the outrage could have all been avoided.

"Each time former officer Hickey was interviewed by various media sources, he had an opportunity to tell the truth and diffuse the situation and to explain that the city he served was not composed of or lead by cold, heartless and greedy people," the post on the city's Facebook page reads. 

But, no matter what happens, the raised money will not go to waste.

GoFundMe organizers say all additional funds will be donated to the Vested Interest in K9s Inc., which provides police departments with bullet and stab proof vests.