Local Resident Uses Facebook to Help Injured K9, Fellow Officer
While the police officer injured in a crash on his way to the scene of a suspected home invasion is expected to make a full recovery, his police dog, Lakota, is facing extensive injuries.
Updated Thursday, 8 p.m.
WSB-TV reports Lakota is doing well after surgery to repair two broken legs and is expected to make a full recovery. The police dog also suffered broken ribs, bruised lungs and internal bleeding.
His handler also continues recovery in a hospital.
Original Report
For Cartersville resident and former Bartow County Sheriff’s Office K9 deputy Chris Day, it’s all about lending assistance to a fellow officer in a time of need.
The now Doraville Police Department K9 officer several months ago began the Support Police K9’s Facebook page, which already has nearly 1,400 "likes," and now he’s using it to raise money for an officer injured in an on-duty car crash.
“I’m doing it just to help another officer out,” Day said. “He got in a bad car wreck, but he’s going to recover pretty well.”
Clayton County Police Officer Travis Fox and partner, Lakota, were involved in the accident Monday while en route to the scene of suspected home invasion, according to WSB-TV. Both were ejected from the police cruiser.
Day said Clayton County has relieved the 5-year-old German Shepherd of his police dog duties. Lakota is being cared for at University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a shattered leg and a second, severely broken leg, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
To help raise money for the family now responsible for Lakota’s vet bills, which Day said will total $3,000, and continuing care, he is using his Facebook page to auction donated items.
In the photo album titled K9 Lakota Auction, Day is accepting bids on the donated items and all the money goes directly to Fox’s wife, Corey. The organizations and businesses donating the items then mail the goods directly to the winning bidders.
Corey Fox on Monday posted to her company's website an update on Lakota's condition—while internal bleeding had been stopped, Lakota's shattered back, right leg would be amputated. The dog also may be suffering from a hip fracture in addition to the severely broken back, left leg.
"Officer Fox experienced severe but not life-threatening injuries and is expecting a full recovery," she said, adding Lakota served as a police dog for four years and successfully performed 80 apprehensions.
While donations are accepted via the company's website, those for Lakota's medical care can be made to the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine’s GRACE Fund, a canine emergency fund, via www.vet.uga.edu/GO/grace, according to AJC. Checks also can be mailed to the UGA College of Vet Med Development Office, 501 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602.
Lakota may need a ramp at the Fox home, in addition to a special bed and wheelchair, according to the newspaper.
Patty Seals
5:58 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
OK , let me get this straight, the dog gets injured in the line of duty so his Dept. handles it by "relieving him of duty" Is that correct? That REALLY pisses me off!!:(
Brande Poulnot
6:43 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Patty, you've got it. County leaders voted to retire the dog, and the county is no longer responsible for its medical bills. The handlers are first given the option to take the dog, and if they don't, the dog would go to the county animal facility. The Fox family opted to keep and care for the dog.
Linda Ellis Ingram
12:49 pm on Saturday, October 8, 2011
Please call or email the clayton county commissions and let them know they were wrong about what they did about Lakota the k9 dog that that was hurt on police work. get this out to all animal lovers-the humane society. shame on you!! another bad sad day for clayton county. eldrin.bell.co.clayton.ga.us
Erin
12:21 am on Saturday, November 19, 2011
Was Lakota vested? If not, could body armor have lessened the injuries?