The Internet has raised a stunning amount of money so that a retired police officer can buy his service dog.
Officer Matthew Hickey of Marietta, Ohio retired after 30 years on the police force, and he wanted to purchase his duty dog Ajax from the city. However, state law prohibits duty animals from being bought if they still are able to do the job. Instead they must be put up for auction.
“I had the money for the dog and was ready to hand it to the chief of police, and the chief of police said he couldn’t take it,” Hickey told WCMH news.
Outrage quickly poured in when city officials refused to let Hickey purchase his dog.
(Credit: Screenshot/Marietta Facebook)
A GoFundMe account was started to make sure Hickey had the money to buy Ajax, and so far it has raised over $60,000, which will almost certainly be enough to buy a dog valued at $3,500.
All remaining money from the GoFundMe account will be donated to buy bullet proof vests for police dogs.