BEDFORD HEIGHTS, Ohio — After a police officer had been forced to give up his K-9 in Bedford Heights, a company that breeds and trains dogs has stepped up to help.
Officer Ryan Kaetzel reluctantly gave up his partner Bosco to Bedford Heights Police on Tuesday after working with the K-9 for several years.
"He's part of our family," said Stephanie Kaetzel, Ryan's wife.
However, Buckeye Area Regional K-9 or BARK, a nonprofit, has volunteered to donate a new dog to the Bedford Heights Police Department.
Bark trainer Tom Schmidt reached out to Trisha Kilroy, who gave Bosco his bulletproof vest, to ask her to get a hold of Bedford Heights city leaders and its police department.
Schmidt told News 5 he's reached out to the city about his offer but has not heard back. News 5 is also waiting for a response from the Bedford Heights Mayor, City Council President and the Law Director.
Schmidt said he understands the deep bond Kaetzel and other police officers have with their K-9 partners, and he's willing to donate a newly trained K-9 to Bedford Heights so Bosco can retire and become a member of the Kaetzel family.
“They’re with this dog more than their family; they’re with them 24/7," Schmidt said. "They’re responsible for feeding them, caring for them, they go to work with them, it’s like part of the family, it’s like giving up your kid.”
Schmidt, who has been training police K-9 officers for 30 years and has donated 115 police dogs over the past three decades, said the dog donated to Bedford Heights would be fully certified.
“If they give the dog back to Ryan, they get a free dog from me, they get free training for the rest of the dog’s life, and if they want a second dog, I’ll provide it as well," Schmidt said. “Most of our dogs certify for narcotics tracking and evidence recovery before their 6-month birthday, and they get the patrol certification at around 12 or 13 months.”
Kaetzel is transferring to another police department, and he originally told his police chief that he'd like to keep Bosco as his personal dog. According to Kaetzel, the chief first agreed and then changed his mind.
Bedford Heights Police said Bosco is still a valuable member of the department and was trained and maintained by taxpayer dollars.
“One officer choosing to leave does not mean that that officer has the right to take the other officer with him. We have made an investment in both officers, and we feel like we have just as much right to Bosco, and it’s best in the interest for the city of Bedford Heights and our police department to continue the program,” said Kenneth Hatcher Junior, Bedford Heights assistant police chief.
A family friend of the Kaetzel's started a GoFundMe account with the intention of helping pay the city back for the cost of the dog so they can keep him. CLICK HERE for more information or to donate.
News 5 will continue to follow through on this developing story.
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