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Retired Ohio Police Officer Gets To Buy K-9 Partner For $1

MARIETTA, Ohio (KDKA/AP) - A recently retired Ohio police officer has been allowed to buy his K-9 partner for $1.

Officials in Marietta had created a social-media stir when they said Matt Hickey's police dog, Ajax, had to be sold at auction because the animal was city property and could still work. Hickey and Ajax worked together for three years, and the dog lived with him.

Hickey was allowed to buy Ajax from the city on Thursday.

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Earlier this week, the city had said it would allow Hickey to keep the dog if Hickey continued to work for the police department on a volunteer basis after his retirement. Hickey refused, noting he retired in January over health concerns.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help Hickey put in a bid for his beloved partner should it have come to that. But after Thursday's announcement, it now says on the page, all but $1 of the almost $72,000 raised will go towards a foundation to buy protective vests for police K-9s.

Hickey says he's "speechless and very grateful" that he gets to keep Ajax.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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