Police K-9 injured on duty ...

[AbbyK9]

This case really makes me mad.

K-9 Lakota and his handler, officer Travis Fox, were both injured in a car accident while in pursuit of a suspect. Officer Fox was taken to a local hospital and Lakota was taken to the University of Georgia's Veterinary Hospital.

The police department both belonged to, Clayton County PD, RETIRED Lakota the day after the accident while he (and his handler) were both recovering in the hospital. Officer Fox's family has stepped up to the plate and adopted Lakota, of course, but now ALL MEDICAL COSTS for Lakota's care are coming out of their pocket.

RIVERDALE: Officer's family funding injured K-9's surgery | 11alive.com

Early Monday, Officer Travis Fox of the Clayton County Police Department was involved in a wreck that put him in the hospital. But Wednesday, his family was most concerned with Fox's K-9 partner, Lakota, who was in the same accident while on duty and is in the hospital as well.

Wednesday, Lakota's legs were in casts; the canine was hooked up to tubes and, according to the dog's owner, scheduled for surgery Thursday at the University of Georgia's Veterinary Hospital.


The county retired Lakota on Tuesday, and Officer Fox's family asked to own the dog. But as part of that, the family says it now must pay Lakota's medical expenses, which total $10,000 for the surgery.


Officer Fox's wife, Corey, says UGA graciously agreed to do the operation for $3,000.

Basically, this reads to me like the department is saying - "Yeah, we don't want to spend all this money to make the dog healthy, especially since he probably won't work as a K-9 after this. So, we're just going to retire him. Let the handler pay for the medical costs."

[Cassidy's Mom]

Wow, that sucks. He was hurt on the job, the department should pay for his medical care.

[Dooney's Mom]

This makes me very angry- too bad this can't be considered "animal abuse" Lord only knows how many lives that dog could have saved in his career and they are just walking away from it- makes me sick

[Lauri & The Gang]

I found a link on the news article to another page with an update on Lakota's condition:

10/3/2011 Condition Update:
While following info of a suspect vehicle Lakota and his handler Officer Fox were involved in a single car accident in which both Lakota and Officer Fox were ejected from the patrol car.
Officer Fox experienced severe but not life threatening injuries and is expecting a full recovery.
Lakota however did not fare as well and shattered his back right leg that has to be amputated. In addition he severely broke his back left leg and possible fractured a hip.
All his internal bleeding has successfully been stopped.
Lakota is currently being moved to University of Georgia animal hospital to undergo the necessary surgeries to give him a chance at a quality life after being injured in the line of duty. This medical care is estimated at over $10,000, since Lokata was injured in the line of duty, UGA is graciously doing the operations for around $4,500.
Lakota has served for 4 years with 80 successful apprehensions.

[AbbyK9]

I didn't link the update page Lauri posted because it asks for donations.

[DFrost]

Sometimes management decisions are not popular.

[Konotashi]

Originally Posted by Cassidy's Mom

Wow, that sucks. He was hurt on the job, the department should pay for his medical care.

I was thinking the same thing. They'll pay for the human cop, but not the K9?

[ZeusersPuppy]

what is the point of having a K9 then? it's like they WANT them to take the bullet, be the shield, be the bait so that the human (hopefully) doesn't get the brunt of the beating/injury.

That is so wrong. You asking for the animal to be in the line of duty, you ask for them to put THEIR LIFE out there to protect us, they ask the same in return, to protect them. Any dog lover should know that. Just cuz they don't speak it doesn't mean they don't feel it or deserve it

[KZoppa]

if the dogs leg has to be amputated, then he cant work anyway. least not in THAT field. Its sad but its true. Just like human cops have to be full bodied, so to speak, so do the canine versions. they'd spend more on investing in a new dog than they would paying this ones medical bills but if he's of no use to the department... well. Sometimes that how it works unfortunately. Dont have to like or agree with it, which i dont. This is very similar, if not exactly like someone who has a dog that gets injured, has the funds to pay the vet bills, but chooses to ditch the dog off at the shelter instead so they dont have to pay anything to the vet. Its very sad but at least the dog has a home once he's out of the hopsital and its with people he knows.

[GSDolch]

I wont question the choice to retire him, if he can't do the job then he cant do the job.

However, the costs for injuries obtained from the job should be covered. I wonder if they could take them to court to cover it? Kinda like workers comp.