Ex-Ohio officer rejects deal to volunteer, keep canine partner
MARIETTA, Ohio (AP) — A recently retired Ohio police officer says he rejected an offer to keep his canine partner by working as a volunteer.
Marietta officials have said they didn’t intend to separate Matt Hickey from his dog. They say he can keep Ajax if Hickey works as an unpaid auxiliary officer.
But Hickey says he retired in January out of health concerns and hasn’t worked since July due to neck and shoulder injuries.
The story of Hickey and his canine partner drew public attention after Marietta rejected Hickey’s $3,500 offer to buy Ajax and said the dog would need to be auctioned because Ajax was city property and could still work.
Mayor Joe Matthews said today that Hickey has not contacted him about any response to the city’s offer.