RIVERDALE, Ga. - The Clayton County Police Department has agreed to pay for the medical treatment of a police dog injured in the line of duty earlier this month.
The dog, Lakota, was injured in a car accident along with his handler, Clayton County Police Officer Travis Fox, on October 3. The K-9 was ejected from his seat in the wreck that left Fox, in the hospital as well.
A day after the wreck, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners retired Lakota. The officer and his wife, Corey, agreed to adopt Lakota, but in doing so, they were stuck with thousands of dollars in surgery costs for the dog.
After 11Alive News aired a story about Lakota and Fox, a husband and wife who own pet stores in Metro Atlanta agreed to fund Lakota's medical expenses.
But Tuesday, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners said they would pay for Lakota's medical expenses at the University of Georgia, since the dog was injured in the line of duty.
"The Board's actions were based upon their understanding that Officer Fox had requested that ownership of Lakota be transferred to him and that he had agreed to be responsible for his medical expenses," the Board said in an emailed statement to 11Alive News. "Based upon subsequent media reports, it appears that there may have been some miscommunication regarding this request."
Lakota was treated by veterinarians at the University of Georgia. The dog is said to be recovering nicely.
"He will retire to what we all hope is a long life with Officer Fox," the Board said.
Fox, who was also seriously injured in the wreck, is said to be recovering, too.