A loyal Ohio K-9 police dog will be allowed to live out his days with his handler for five years after his police chief caved to pressure from outraged citizens and called for the service animal to be reunited with his police officer partner.
On Friday afternoon, Officer Chad Hagen was reunited with his K-9, a six-year-old German Shepherd named Igor.
Hagen had worked alongside his loyal companion on the Shaker Heights Police Department for five years, but he resigned just before Thanksgiving after securing a new job closer to home.
Hagen offered police $10,000 of his own money to let him take his K-9, but Police Chief Wayne Hudson insisted that Igor stay, pointing out that he still had several years of service left to the community.
The decision was a blow to the officer, who had formed 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.
K-9 Igor and his handler, Officer Chad Hagen, were reunited after weeks apart
Officer Hagen received permission from his former boss to take his K-9 partner Igor for $16,500
Officer Chad Hagen had initially offered $10,000 after working together on the Shaker Heights City Police Department for five years
Igor is pictured next to Officer Hagen on the drive home from the kennels on Friday
Danielle Hagan, Chad's wife, posted a message of joy on Facebook Friday afternoon
The dog was then placed in kennels and remained there for two weeks until it was finally released on Friday.
After a social media campaign in which a Change.org petition generated 37,000 signatures and the GoFundMe campaign raised $17,000, Igor was allowed to stay with Hagen, with the official agreeing to give over $16,500 to his former troop to pay.
Danielle Hagan, Chad's wife, posted a message of joy on Facebook Friday afternoon.
“OUR IGOR MAN IS COMING HOME!” From the bottom of our hearts, we can’t thank you all enough. I firmly believe that we would not have achieved this result without the help and support we received. Between the messages, prayers, petitions and Gofundme, we have been overwhelmed with love. We honestly can't thank you enough.
“Igor will be picked up in a few hours when the kennel opens and lots of photos and videos will be taken.” I promise to post them and of course send updates from Igor! He enjoys a warm bath, a steak dinner and all the love and cuddles coming his way this evening. “We are overjoyed and excited.”
The $16,500 will be used by the police department to purchase a new K-9 dog and to train the dog and a police officer.
“The City of Shaker Heights has reached an agreement with a former Shaker Heights Police Department (SHPD) officer, made possible by a City law change, in which the City agreed to transfer ownership of the SHPD police dog to the officer, who was his handler. and the city will be compensated by funding a replacement police dog and training the dog and another officer through a police dog kennel,” the police department said in a statement Friday.
Igor could be heard howling with joy as he rode alongside his long-term partner of five years
The two reconnected and played a game of fetch outside
Officer Hagen demonstrated that Igor still listens to his human counterpart when asked to sit
Even the baby seems happy that Igor is back where he belongs
Shaker Heights Mayor David Weiss, pictured, defended the city council's earlier decision not to release Igor by saying that Hagen knew the rules – but had clearly underestimated the bond formed between the two
“The new change to city law provides that a SHPD officer who leaves the city's canine unit while his canine partner is still on duty may be permitted to take ownership of his dog upon providing sufficient compensation…as provided by the chief “The city's police and finance director.”
The city council defended its earlier decision not to release Igor on the grounds that Hagen knew the rules – but clearly underestimated the bond formed between the two.
“We truly appreciate the love for animals that has inspired so many people from across the country and beyond to share their thoughts on this situation,” said Shaker Heights Mayor David Weiss.
“Our ordinance, which reflects long-standing state law and was known to Officer Hagan, did not provide the authority to regulate situations in which an officer leaves the department before his dog retires.” “Today's decision by the Council to amend the Regulation makes the amicable solution achieved today possible.” F
Shaker Heights Police Chief Wayne Hudson faced criticism last week, which the mayor also criticized.
“The city has been working on this issue in good faith and it is unfortunate and disappointing that some people have used this as an opportunity to post vile, racist hate speech online targeting the city's first Black police chief,” the mayor said .
Last week, Ohio police officer Chad Hagen transferred to a new force, but his boss initially rejected his request to take his K-9 partner Igor with him, despite offering $10,000
Chad is pictured with his wife Danielle and Igor, the German Shepherd K-9 officer
Officer Hagen released a statement expressing his pleasure that the matter had been resolved
Danielle Hagan, Chad's wife, posted a message of joy on Facebook Friday afternoon.
“OUR IGOR MAN IS COMING HOME!” From the bottom of our hearts, we can’t thank you all enough. I firmly believe that we would not have achieved this result without the help and support we received. Between the messages, prayers, petitions and Gofundme, we have been overwhelmed with love. We honestly can't thank you enough.
“Igor will be picked up in a few hours when the kennel opens and lots of photos and videos will be taken.” I promise to post them and of course send updates from Igor! He enjoys a warm bath, a steak dinner and all the love and cuddles coming his way this evening. “We are overjoyed and excited.”
Speaking before the agreement, Danielle was devastated by the prospect of never seeing the dog again.
“He was with us through our first home, our forever home, a wedding and the birth of a baby. I accompanied us through everything. “We’re the only family he knows.”
Hagen is leaving the force to take another law enforcement job near his home and did not believe his request and subsequent offer of cash was unreasonable.
When Officer Hagen gave his two-week notice on Thanksgiving, he was ordered to deliver Igor to a local kennel – all at the expense of local taxpayers.
“The first thing the boss said to him was, 'We have to figure out what we're going to do with Igor.' That kind of hit Chad the wrong way. He didn't say he was leaving. When that happened, he said, “Wow, that's such a 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 boss came back and said no financial numbers were taken into account,” she said.
The city of Shaker Heights has said the administration does not have the authority to sell the dog, but at a council meeting this week, local laws were changed to allow Igor to potentially be “purchased” by Hagen.
Officer Chad and Danielle say Igor (left) has been a part of their family for more than five years
“He was with us through our first home, our forever home, a wedding and the birth of a baby. “Standed by us through everything,” said Danielle Hagan, Chad’s wife
Hagen's family believed the chief had been malicious when he refused to let the dog go with him. Igor (left) is pictured next to “his little human sister.”
Police Chief Wayne Hudson faced heavy criticism last week
Chief Hudson had initially stated, “It (K9 Igor) is a tool and there is no monetary amount that would be considered.”
The boss had previously offered Hagen a deal: to stay with the Shaker Police for two more years and only then, after Hagen's departure, could Igor retire.
But Officer Hagan declined the offer and suggested purchasing the K-9 instead.
“The bond between Officer Hagan and K9 Igor is unimaginable. K9 Igor saved Officer Hagan's life multiple 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. '
Last week, the city insisted that police were simply following the rules – but those rules have now been revised to allow the officer to take Igor home for good.
Some police departments are known to allow their superiors to buy out their partners for a nominal fee of $1 – but not Shaker Heights, which now wants $16,500 for Igor
Igor has appeared in many photos of the family over the years
When Officer Hagen gave his two-week notice on Thanksgiving, he was ordered to deliver the abandoned Igor to a local kennel at taxpayer expense
With Officer Hagen gone, it might be difficult to reintroduce Igor to a new supervisor
Officer Chad Hagen and k-9 Igor share a unique bond, having worked together for five years on the Shaker Heights City Police Department
“Officer Hagan suggested purchasing Igor, but according to city law, the city administration, including the chief, does not have the authority to sell the dog.”
Despite the chief's earlier belief that Igor could continue working for some time, Danielle said she believes the K-9 has slowed down and can realistically only continue to work in law enforcement for another 18 months to two years.
She also cited other police forces, including Cleveland Heights, that have allowed their officers to purchase their canine partners for as little as $1 after just four years of service.
“Take him home, let him spend the rest of his happy years with his brother and sister and fetch the ball in the backyard,” Brittany Santiago, a family friend, told News5Cleveland.
'It is difficult. It was difficult. “There are a lot of emotions, a lot is at stake,” Santiago said.
Those who signed the petition left advice for the police chief.
An online petition was launched that has garnered more than 3,600 signatures
Officer Hagen and Igor are seen on patrol in the town of Shaker Heights, Ohio
Igor has been placed in kennels while police decide what to do with him
“Chief Wayne Hudson, you should be ashamed of yourself.” Less than a year in this department and you bring this kind of shame with you. Do what is right for this loyal K9 officer, his handler and his family and let him live out the rest of his years with the family that raised and loved him,” wrote Leigh Ann Cook.
“Igor has served his city, it is time for him to retire and enjoy family life after years of hard work!” It is outrageous that they are using him in a power game. Bring him home!' Makenzie Olivares demanded.
“This is just pathetic. Poor Igor sits in a kennel while the officer just wants to take him home and even offers him money for a new K9.” Why didn't you just let the officer take his partner home? I have to love those who make this decision. SAD,” said Cindy Lichty.
“Enough of the abuse of power.” This dog is not only Officer Hagan's partner, but also a part of his family. “Let Igor retire with the ONLY family he knows and loves,” Crystal Blasinsky added.
Last week, the police department responded to the allegations of vindictiveness in a lengthy statement on behalf of the chief.
“Rather than acting out of vindictiveness, Chief Hudson follows the requirements of the law and acts in the best interests of the residents of Shaker Heights to protect the significant investment the city has made in Igor the police dog,” the department stated.
“While Chief Hudson understands Officer Hagan and his family's feelings toward Igor, when Officer Hagan became a K-9 officer, like all K-9 officers, he understood that the dogs they work with well-trained integral part of the dog.” Shaker Heights Police Department, providing a service to protect 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 unwarranted and unjust.”