- An Ohio police officer who’s transferring to a brand new power says his chief has denied his request to take his Ok-9 companion, Igor, together with him, regardless of providing $10,000
- Officer Chad Hagen and Ok-9 Igor share a novel bond having labored alongside each other for 5 years on the City of Shaker Heights Police Department
- Hagen’s household say the police chief is being spiteful in refusing to permit the canine to depart with him, whereas the division say metropolis legal guidelines are merely being adopted
An Ohio police officer who is ready to maneuver to a brand new metropolis has been left devastated after his chief refused to permit him to take his Ok-9 companion with him, regardless of providing a $10,000 money donation to the power.
Officer Chad Hagen has labored along with his Ok-9, a six-year-old German shepherd named Igor, for 5 years on the City of Shaker Heights Police Department.
During that point the pair have developed a novel bond with the canine spending most of his time along with his human officer, even dwelling at home along with his spouse and young baby.
‘He’s been with us by means of our first home, our without end home, marriage, having a child. Been with us by means of every thing,’ Danielle Hagan, Chad’s spouse, stated to WOW. ‘We’re the one household that he is aware of.’
But with Hagen’s departure, Police Chief Wayne Hudson, desires the police canine to stay with the power, noting how he has a number of years of service left to provide the neighborhood.
Hagen is leaving the power to maneuver to a different job in regulation enforcement nearer to the place he lives and didn’t imagine his request and subsequent supply of money was unreasonable.
When Officer Hagen gave his two-weeks discover on Thanksgiving he was instructed flip Igor in at an area kennel – all at native taxpayers’ expense.
‘The very first thing that was stated to him by the chief was, ‘We want to determine what we will do with Igor.’ That form of struck Chad the incorrect approach. He wasn’t saying he was leaving. So, when that occurred he was like ‘Well wow … that form of a slap within the face,” Danielle Hagen defined.
‘We supplied $10,000 of our personal money and to be sincere, I guarantee Chad would have paid greater than that. But, the chief got here again and stated no monetary quantity will likely be thought of,’ she stated.
The City of Shaker Heights have stated the administration doesn’t have the authority to promote the canine and that Igor is anticipated to return to responsibility.
Chief Hudson acknowledged: ‘It (K9 Igor) is a instrument and there’s no monetary quantity that will be thought of.’
A Change.org petition has now been created with greater than 3,600 signatures, championing the household’s trigger to should canine reside out his days with them.
The petition alleges the chief is appearing out of spite in stopping Hagen from taking the canine with him.
The chief supplied Hagen a deal: stick with Shaker Police for 2 extra years and solely then, upon Hagen’s leaving, may Igor may retire.
But Officer Hagan rejected the supply and proposed buying the Ok-9 as a substitute.
‘The bond that Officer Hagan and K9 Igor have is past what anybody may ever think about. K9 Igor has saved Officer Hagan’s life on a number of events. K9 Igor is just not a ‘instrument’. He is a beloved member of the Hagan household and Officer Hagan’s finest buddy. This is actually the worst coronary heart break this household has ever been by means of. ‘
But the town insists that the police division is just sticking to the principles.
‘Igor is a six-year-old German Shepherd and if his well being stays robust he’s anticipated to be match for responsibility holding the residents of Shaker Heights secure for one more three of 4 years. He reveals no signal of slowing down,’ the town wrote in a press release.
‘Officer Hagan proposed buying Igor nevertheless based on the town’s legal guidelines, the town’s administration together with the chief, has no authority to promote the canine.’
Despite the chief’s perception Igor may proceed working for a while, Danielle says she believes the Ok-9 has slowed down and will realistically solely work in regulation enforcement for one more 18 months to 2 years.
She additionally cites different police forces together with Cleveland Heights which have allowed their officers to purchase their canine companions after simply 4 years of service for slightly as one greenback.
‘Bring him home, let him reside out the remainder of his completely satisfied years along with his brother and his sister and fetching the ball within the yard,’ stated Brittany Santiago, a household buddy, to News5Cleveland.
‘It’s laborious. It’s been tough. There’s a number of feelings, lots at stake,’ stated Santiago.
Those signing the petition have left phrases of recommendation for the police chief.
‘Chief Wayne Hudson, you need to be ashamed of your self. Less than a 12 months with this division and also you carry this type of shame. Do what is true for this loyal K9 officer, his handler and household and let him reside out the remainder of his years with the household that raised and cherished him,’ wrote Leigh Ann Cook.
‘Igor has served his metropolis, it is time for him to retire and benefit from the household life after years of laborious work! Outrageous they’re utilizing him in a recreation of energy. Bring him home!!’ demanded Makenzie Olivares.
‘That’s simply pathetic they’ve poor Igor sitting in a kennel when all of the officer desires to do is take him home and even supplied money for a brand new K9. Why would not you simply let the officer take his companion home. Gotta love those making that call. SAD,’ acknowledged Cindy Lichty.
‘Enough of the abuse of energy. This canine is just not solely Officer Hagan’s companion however part of his household. Let Igor retire with the ONLY household he is aware of and loves,’ added Crystal Blasinsky.
The police division has since responded to allegations of vindictiveness on behalf of the chief in a lengthy statement.
‘Rather than appearing out of vindictiveness, Chief Hudson is following the necessities of the regulation, and appearing in the very best pursuits of the residents of Shaker Heights to guard the appreciable funding the City has made in Igor, the police canine,’ the division defined.
‘While Chief Hudson is empathetic to Officer Hagan and his household’s emotions about Igor, Officer Hagan understood when he turned a Ok-9 officer, as do all Ok-9 officers, that the dogs they work with are a extremely educated integral a part of the Shaker Heights Police Department that present a service in defending the neighborhood.
‘It is the accountability and precedence of the Chief and the City’s administration to guard the security of the residents of the City. Any attack on the judgment and character of the Chief on this concern is unwarranted and unjust.’
