Officer Chad Hagan claims the city of Shaker Heights rebuffed his offer of $10,000 to take canine Igor with him when he leaves the department purely out of spite, knowing that the separation would be devastating for both.
The pair have worked together for more than five years, during which time they have formed an unbreakable, familial bond.
“He’s been with us through our first home, our forever home, marriage, having a baby. Been with us through everything,” Hagan’s wife, Danielle, told Cleveland19.
“We’re his only family that he knows.”
The heartbreaking saga began in September when Hagan told his superiors out of respect that he would be looking for job opportunities to move closer to his family, a decision the chief reportedly applauded.
Although Hagan had no job opportunities at the time, Chief Wayne Hudson decided to rip the German shepherd apart from his longtime handler so the K-9 could acclimate to a new officer, according to an online petition.
When Hagan pressed to adopt Igor instead, Hudson allegedly insinuated that he would approve the offer if the pair continued to work in Shaker Heights for another two years.
The desperate handler argued the beloved 6-and-a-half-year-old pooch was nearing retirement and offered to buy him for $10,000 — when the usual price for buying a retired K-9 is $1 — but was briskly shot down.
“This offer was denied, due to a clear act of spite. Chief Hudson stated, ‘it (K9 Igor) is a tool and there is no financial amount that would be considered,’” the petition alleges.
Despite the scathing comments, Hudson allegedly left the meeting by giving Hagan a sense of hope that his mind could be changed.
When Hagan handed in his resignation around Thanksgiving, however, the chief ruined the holiday by ordering the handler to return Igor to a facility.
“Igor is a six-year-old German Shepard and, if his health remains strong, he is expected to be fit for duty, keeping the residents of Shaker Heights safe, for another three or four years. He shows no signs of slowing down,” the city told Ceveland19 in a statement.
Officials asserted that neither Hudson nor the city’s administration have the authority to sell Igor considering his fitness levels.
Other than hoping to retire Igor out of love, the Hagan family argued Igor has slowed down in recent years, estimating he only has a year or two of law enforcement left.
Danielle also claims other nearby communities have let officers purchase canines even after four years for just $1.
“The Hagan family is the only family K-9 Igor has ever known and instead of being with Officer Hagan and his family for the remaining week and a half, he has been living in a boarding facility, laying on a 4×4 concrete pad because of the retaliation by Chief Hudson,” the petition states.
“The bond that Officer Hagan and K-9 Igor have is beyond what anyone could ever imagine. K-9 Igor has saved Officer Hagan’s life on multiple occasions. K-9 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 been through.”
