Ohio cop reunited with K-9 partner after city accepts $16K deal amid ownership battle: ‘Happy to have our family back’

It’s a howl-iday miracle!

An Ohio police officer reunited with his former K-9 partner amid an emotional battle with the city he once served for ownership of his beloved pup.

The city of Shaker Heights voted to allow Officer Chad Hagan and his family to purchase the K-9, a six-year-old German Shepherd named Igor, just in time for the dog to be home for the holidays.

“We’re happy to have our family back for Christmas,” Hagan excitedly told Fox 8 on Friday.

The family will purchase Igor from the Shaker Heights Police Department for $16,500, which will go toward training for a new dog and another officer.

During the council meeting, Hagan’s former police chief, Wayne Hudson, recommended an amendment be made to the current city law to allow K-9s, still fit for duty, to be sold to their previous handlers in exchange for the price it would cost to replace them.

The vote was passed unanimously while Hagan watched the session on Zoom.

Chad Hagan had worked with Igor for five years before he left his current policing gig for another closer to home. Facebook

Hagan was then informed that Igor’s ownership would transfer to him, and he could pick up his canine companion that day.

“On behalf of Officer Chad Hagan, Jr. and his family, I am pleased to announce that Hagan’s canine partner, Igor, will return home today thanks to the City of Shaker Heights’ willingness to work cooperatively to address the complicated matter and find a legal way to balance the desires of the Hagan family and responsibilities of the City,” the family’s lawyer said in a release provided to the outlet.

“Officer Hagan, Igor and the rest of the Hagen family are truly grateful for all of the support they have received.”

Hagan was told he had to give up his ownership of Igor by the city, and could not purchase the pouch since his former police department believed the K-9 still was fit for service. Facebook/Fox 8 News

The exciting reunion came with tons of slobbery kisses and cries of joy from Igor, who had spent over two weeks in a kennel when the family had to surrender him after Thanksgiving.

“He was excited, he was jumping all over us,” Chad’s wife, Danielle Hagan, told the outlet. “Well, he could care less about me, to be honest. He was jumping all over Chad, just very excited to see us.”

The pair had worked together for over five years before Hagan moved to a different police department to be closer to his family.

After much pressure and persistence on the city, Hagan was allowed to buy out Igor from the city. Facebook/Fox 8 News

The desperate handler argued his pooch partner was nearing retirement and offered to buy him for $10,000 — when the usual price for buying a retired K-9 is just $1 — but was briskly shot down after the department believed Igor was still fit for service.

During that time, they formed an unbreakable familial bond.

“It’s been so hard on him, just being away from his best friend,” Danielle told the outlet.

“The dog he’s been with every day for the past five and a half years, it was a lot.”

Despite the hefty sale price, no dollar amount held in comparison to the love Hagan and Igor had for one another.

“Whatever we had to do to get Igor back was what we were going to do,” Hagan’s wife shared, adding the family “appreciates the city of Shaker Heights” for allowing the sale.

Hagan shared that he and his family are happy they were able to get his former partner home for Christmas. Facebook/Fox 8 News

Community members, also moved by the partner’s bond, created a GoFundMe called “Bring K-9 Igor Home” and raised nearly $13,000 to reunite the two.

“We genuinely appreciate the love of animals that has inspired so many people from across the country and beyond to share their thoughts on this situation,” Shaker Heights Mayor David Weiss told the outlet.

“Our ordinance, which reflects long-standing state law and was known to Officer Hagan, did not provide the authority to address situations when a police officer leaves the department in advance of the retirement of their canine. Today’s Council action to amend the ordinance enables the amicable resolution reached today.”