‘We’re the only family he knows’: Ohio K-9 cop is left heartbroken after $10,000 offer to buy his beloved canine partner ‘Igor’ from the force as he moves to another city is rejected – with dog now sitting in a KENNEL

An Ohio police officer about to move to a new city is devastated after his supervisor refused to allow him to bring his K-9 partner with him, despite offering a $10,000 cash donation to the corps.

Officer Chad Hagen spent five years working with his K-9, a six-year-old German Shepherd named Igor, on the Shaker Heights Police Department.

During that time, the pair have developed a unique bond with the dog spending most of his time with his human officer, and even living at home with his wife and young child.

“He has been with us through our first home, our forever home, the wedding and having a baby. I've been through everything with us,” said Danielle Hagan, Chad's wife WOIO. “We're the only family he knows.”

But with Hagen's departure, Police Chief Wayne Hudson wants the police dog to remain on the force, noting he still has several years of service to the community.

Hagen is leaving the force to move to another law enforcement job closer to where he lives and did not believe his request and subsequent offer of cash was unreasonable.

When Officer Hagen gave his two weeks' notice on Thanksgiving, he was ordered to surrender Igor to a local kennel – all at the local taxpayer's expense.

'The first thing the chief said to him was: 'We have to figure out what to do with Igor.' That didn't sit well with Chad. He didn't say he was leaving. So when that happened, he was like, 'Well, wow…that kind of slap in the face,'” Danielle Hagen explained.

“We offered $10,000 of our own money and to be honest, I guarantee Chad would have paid more than that. But the chief came back and said no financial number would be taken into account,” she said.

The city of Shaker Heights has said the administration does not have the authority to sell the dog and that Igor is expected to return to work.

Chief Hudson stated, “It (K9 Igor) is a tool and there is no financial amount that would be considered.”

a Change.org A petition has now been created with more than 3,600 signatures, pleading the family's case to have to spend his days with them.

The petition claims the chef is acting out of spite by preventing Hagen from taking the dog.

The chief offered Hagen a deal: stay with the Shaker Police for two more years and after that If Hagen leaves, Igor can retire.

But Officer Hagan declined the offer and suggested purchasing the K-9 instead.

“The bond that Officer Hagan and K9 Igor have is beyond anything anyone could ever imagine. K9 Igor has saved Officer Hagan's life several times. K9 Igor is not a 'tool'. He is a beloved member of the Hagan family and Officer Hagan's best friend. This is truly the worst heartbreak this family has ever experienced. '

But the city insists that the police are simply following the rules.

“Igor is a six-year-old German Shepherd and if his health remains strong, he is expected to be fit for the job of keeping the residents of Shaker Heights safe for another three to four years. He shows no signs of slowing down,” the city wrote in a statement.

“Officer Hagan proposed to purchase Igor, but according to the city's laws, the city government, including the chief, has no authority to sell the dog.”

Despite the chief's belief that Igor could continue working for a while, Danielle says she believes the K-9 has slowed down and will realistically only be able to work in law enforcement for another 18 months to two years.

She also cites other police departments, including Cleveland Heights, which have allowed their officers to purchase their canine partners for just one dollar after just four years of service.

“Take him home, let him spend the rest of his happy years with his brother and sister and play ball in the backyard,” Brittany Santiago, a family friend, told News5Cleveland.

'It is difficult. It was difficult. There are a lot of emotions at stake, a lot at stake,” Santiago said.

Those who signed the petition left words of advice for the police chief.

“Chief Wayne Hudson, you should be ashamed of yourself. Not even a year in this department and you bring this kind of disgrace with you. Do what is right for this loyal K9 officer, his handler and family and let him spend the rest of his years with the family who raised him and loved him,” wrote Leigh Ann Cook.

'Igor has served his city, it's time for him to retire and enjoy family life after years of hard work! It's outrageous that they use him in a power play. Bring him home!!' Makenzie Olivares asked.

'It's just sad that poor Igor is in a kennel, while the officer only wants to take him home and even offer money for a new K9. Why not just let the officer take his partner home? Gotta love those who make that decision. Sad,” said Cindy Lichty.

'Enough abuse of power. This dog is not only Officer Hagan's partner, but also part of his family. Let Igor retire to the ONLY family he knows and loves,” Crystal Blasinsky added.

The police department has since responded on behalf of the chief to allegations of vindictiveness a long statement.

“Rather than acting out of vengeance, Chief Hudson is following the requirements of the law and acting in the best interests of the residents of Shaker Heights to protect the significant investment the city has made in Igor, the police dog,” explained out of the department. .

“While Chief Hudson is empathetic to Officer Hagan and his family's feelings about Igor, when Officer Hagan became a K-9 officer, like all K-9 officers, he understood that the dogs they work with are a highly trained integral part of the Shaker Heights Police Department providing a service in protecting the community.

“It is the responsibility and priority of the chief and city government to protect the safety of the city's citizens. Any attack on the Chief's judgment and character in this matter is baseless and unjust.”