Netizens have turned good Samaritans as they have raised over $50,000 in funds for a retiring Ohio cop who wishes to keep his K-9 partner.
Officer Matthew Hickey, who retired recently after serving the Ohio police for 34 years, assumed that his partner Ajax - a dog in the police force - would be giving him company.
Ajax has been with Hickey since the past four years and is like a "family member" to the cop. Post retirement, Hickey had presumed that his police buddy would continue to live with him.
Ajax has several years of service capacity left despite not having a handler who is qualified. The dog is valued at $3,500 and is the property of the city of Ohio.
Hickey offered to purchase Ajax and when his offer was rejected he realized that there was a legal hitch.
The Ohio state law decrees that "A law enforcement officer who leaves an equine or canine unit of a law enforcement agency while the police dog or horse assigned to the officer is still fit for duty forfeits the right to purchase the animal under this section."
However, under Ohio State Law 721.15, if the city property - in this case Ajax - is worth more than $1,000, then it has to be sold at an auction to the highest bidder. This auction is limited to retired or active police officers, as well as sanction K-9 trainers.
"The dog is property of the city of Marietta. Because it is personal property, it is treated like a shovel. That's just the way it is," says Paul Betram III, Marietta Law Director.
Hearing of Hickey's plight, a petition on Change.org was started and garnered over 22,000 signatures in support of the cause.
As Facebook users took to the city of Marietta's Facebook page to express their displeasure, prompting the latter to respond that the concerns were being looked into.
"Your voices are being heard and your comments are important. All posts that have been received have been passed on; however, Facebook is not the best way to reach those officials who are making decisions regarding retired Officer Hickey and K-9 Ajax. To ensure that your comments are heard, please email publicvoice@mariettaoh.net," notes the page.
Now people in Marietta - and across U.S. - have sprung into action and a GoFundMe campaign for the cause of letting Ajax stay with Hickey has been started.
"This campaign is aimed to assist the Hickeys be able to bid on Ajax in the upcoming auction. Any funds that are left over after bidding on Ajax will be donated to a K-9 fund to the purchase of bullet resistent vests for our Law Enforcement Officers furry partners," notes the campaign page.
In just three days, the "Help Officer Hickey Keep Ajax" campaign has managed to generate over $55,000, surpassing its goal of $3,500, thanks to contributions from 2,400 supporters.
The date of the auction is not known but is expected to be announced on February 4.
