A dog really is a man's best friend and Officer Chad Hagan's bond with his K-9 is the perfect example.
Officer Hagan had worked for the Shaker Heights Police Department, Ohio up until recently when he handed in his notice on Thanksgiving, informing his superiors back in September that he was looking for a job that was closer to his home and family.
It was then that Officer Hagan's debacle began as Chief Wayne Hudson told him a few days later to hand over his beloved K-9 Igor to a local kennel as they figured out 'what we're going to do' with him.
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Hagan has been Igor's only handler, with the pair working together for five and a half years.
The pooch had also lived at his home with him and his family.
With their 'unbreakable bond' in mind, Hagan then offered a whopping $10,000 to keep Igor - whom he argued only had a couple of years service left in him before retirement.
But his offer has been denied in what family friend of the Hagan's has labelled as an 'act of spite'.
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Part of an online petition (which has generated over 14,000 signatures) by Brittany Santiago reads: "Due to circumstances with K9 Igor approaching 7 years old, nearing the end of his career, Officer Hagan offered Chief Hudson $10,000 of his own funds, for the purchase of K9 Igor.
"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.
"Chief Hudson stated, 'It (K9 Igor) is a tool and there is no financial amount that would be considered.'"
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In light of Chief Hudson's decision to not allow Officer Hagan retire his four-legged friend, Igor is currently being held at the Beacon Hill facility.
Speaking to Cleveland 19 News, Danielle Hagan, Officer Hagan's wife, said that Igor has 'been with us through everything'.
"He’s been with us through our first home, our forever home, marriage, having a baby," she told the news outlet.
Danielle went on to say that the Chief's response was a 'slap in the face' for her husband.
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In light of the controversy that's followed after the police department's decision to turn down the Hagan family's $10,000 offer, the City of Shaker Heights has issued a statement.
Part of the lengthy statement seen by UNILAD read: "Igor is a six-year-old German Shepard and, if his health remains strong, he is expected to be fit for duty, keeping the residents of Shaker Heights safe, for another three or four years.
"He shows no signs of slowing down.
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"Officer Hagan proposed purchasing Igor. However, according to the City’s laws, the City’s administration, including the Chief, has no authority to sell the dog."
In regards the accusations Chief Hudson is facing, the statement added: "An unnamed 'local and national group of individuals' has accused the Chief of retaliating against Officer Hagan and of acting out of spite and with vindictiveness.
"Chief Hudson, in fact, tried to convince Officer Hagan to stay with the SHPD and met with the Officer in a respectful hearing that included leadership staff. Further, the Chief acted within the law in declining to sell Igor to the officer. The group notes that Chief Hudson told Officer Hagan 'on the evening of Thanksgiving' that he would have to make arrangements to return Igor.
"In fact, Chief Hudson had told Officer Hagan that we would issue his final decision regarding Igor if and when Officer Hagan handed in his formal resignation, and Officer Hagan chose to give the Chief his letter of resignation on Thanksgiving Day, so that is when the Chief replied to Officer Hagan with his final decision on Igor."
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The City of Shaker Heights further defended Chief Hudson, writing: "Rather than acting out of vindictiveness, Chief Hudson is following the requirements of the law, and acting in the best interests of the residents of Shaker Heights to protect the considerable investment the City has made in Igor, the police dog."
Niamh Shackleton