Donations pour in to help ex-cop buy his K9 police partner

For the past 4 years, Marietta police officer Matthew Hickey has had his K-9 partner, Ajax, by his side.

Retired K9 Officer Matt Hickey – who lives in Marietta, Ohio – was devastated to recently learn that his canine companion will be auctioned, despite his ownership of Ajax for the past three years. If he were an older dog and was retiring, Hickey could buy him for $1.

‘Ajax is a family member, one of my children, ‘ Hickey told local news station WBNS.

Initially, he was given the option to buy Ajax for $3,500, but that offer was subsequently “rescinded”, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help Hickey keep the dog. “There is a bond between us and it’s very special and I would hate to lose my buddy”.

Ajax is still a healthy police dog and is active on the force, so he’s considered a valuable piece of the city’s property. But the city says Ajax must be sold at auction because of his public property status.

A GoFundMe page was created to help Hickey raise money for the 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”, Matthew Hickey told WCMH.

All additional funds after the achieved goal amount would be donated to purchase bullet resistant vests for K-9 officers, Orr said.

Officer Hickey is qualified to bid on Ajax, but he’s afraid he won’t be the highest bidder.

But there may be a way for Hickey and Ajax to stay together.