Police K-9 injured on duty ...

[Stevenzachsmom]

Clayton Co. to Pay Injured K-9's Medical Expenses
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - The head of Clayton County's board of commissioners says the county is taking another look at paying medical expenses for a K-9 injured in the line of duty.

Officer Travis Fox and his K-9, Lokota, were injured Monday in a car crash responding to a home invasion.

Clayton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Eldrin Bell said the board officially turned the dog over to Fox on Tuesday.

Fox is still recovering from injuries suffered in the crash.

Bell said that the transfer of the dog's ownership also includes medical expenses for Lakota's long-term care.

"The county is going to take care of its responsibility to the officer and the dog," Bell said.

Officer Chris Day of the Doraville Police Department runs a "Support Police K-9" Facebook page. He said more than $1,000 had been donation to go towards Lakota's care.

"I would hope the county would pay for the bills...that's another officer to us," Day said.

UGA vets said Lakota will not have to have his legs amputated, as originally feared and could even possibly return to duty.

"He's definitely going to be a great pet, and certainly if he has a great recovery, he certainly could do all the things he did before," said UGA veterinarian Dr. Scott Rose.

KAE, This is such great news. Thank you for posting this. I am thrilled that not only the expenses will be paid, but that Lokota will not lose his legs. Awesome news! Gorgeous dog.

[Kayos and Havoc]

Hoping the best for Lakota! Glad to hear the department has been pressured to come up with some funds to cover his expenses.

[selzer]

Originally Posted by Mrs.K

I am not going to voice my opinion about the police practices. It's an ongoing thing, raising money for K9's that should be taken care off by the State itself. A Police Station should not have to raise money to care for their dogs. There should be a budget for dogs, in place, already. I just can't comprehend it.

Here in the US, the state has a State Police, and the Highway Patrol which they fund. Each County elects a sherriff and the money to fund the sherriff and the county jail, are budgeted from the county. We have an incredibly poor county. Dogs are nice, but they really cannot take the place of a deputy unless you are running two cops in each vehicle, and we have not been doing that since forever.

So, the county has to decide whether the money goes to various programs or to pay officers. Dogs are kool, but there are other agencies with dogs when they are required. For example, if our village police department (totally funded by the village income taxes) cannot afford a dog, on the half dozen or so incidents where the dog is needed, they can call the sherriff's department and they will send the deputy with the dog. Since our village is within the jurisdiction of the sherriff's department, there is no reason that the citizens should pay for the village to have police dogs when we are already paying for the county to have them. Therefore, the village dogs are financed totally through donations. One is a yellow lab -- the police chief's pet, the other is a malinois.

But why should we be spending money to have two police dogs here in this little town, when they are called out maybe a dozen times in a year for our village -- usually to check lockers at the high school. And are called out a few more times to assist other localities or the county. It is nice to have them, but I can understand people thinking they are a waste of tax-payer funds. So our police department runs them on donations.

The state has nothing to do with it. This is not Germany which has a totally different government structure.

Our little village pd could get an armored car or a helicopter too, even though there has never been a need for either. Somethings you have the money for, and so you go ahead with it. Somethings you need, so you find the money for it. But if you are seriously wasting money on things, you will not last very long. It's politics (but dog-related, really).

[Stella's Mom]

That is such great news on all fronts.

[AbbyK9]

I just learned that vet tech students at the University of Georgia where Lakota is being treated are all chipping in toward his medical costs. They said that about $500 had been raised for Lakota. More money is being raised through the Support Police K-9's Facebook page and the page where updates on Lakota's medical progress is being posted.

I wish more states had a police K-9 association like Vermont does. They have a fund, Lacy's Fund, that does fundraisers to pay medical expenses of retired dogs. They are going to have a 3k (I think) at the end of October to raise money and they just had the Iron Dog where a lot of money was raised through sales, donations, and a raffle, too.

[RebelGSD]

I think that if they cannot afford to care for a dog, they should not have them. Taking a dog into jeopardy and not caring for the animal when it is injured in the line of duty is not acceptable.
I rescued a retired police dog who was blind in one eye from untreated pannus and also had untreated EPI. Both conditions improved dramatically with care. They worked him until several months before I rescued him. Proper care of the animals is part of the responsibility of owning them.

[Stevenzachsmom]

Rebel, Finding you was the best thing that ever happened to that boy. He was one in a million and worth his weight in gold. He did, of course, worship the ground you walked on.

Sorry for going OT.

[RebelGSD]

He was the best and funniest, he could open water taps :-)