A former police officer and his beloved K9 partner were reunited Wednesday after a fierce custody battle over a Michigan town.
Former cop Hayden Wildfong was given permission this week to officially adopt K9 Tamarack, who he had been separated from for several weeks after he submitted his resignation from the City of Mason police force last month.
“This is one of the best feelings in the world, one of the best days of my life. I have spent many hours working with this dog, and we can finally close this chapter and move on,” Wildfong told WILX.
Wildfong has been pushing to bring her best friend home for the past two weeks — but the city has denied two motions she’s made to remove the pup from her post.
The City of Mason claims the former handler did not have the right to keep the dog after he was placed on leave and later left his job after the city said he irresponsibly removed his gun belt and left it unattended during a visit to Mason High School.
Former police officer Hayden Wildfong was allowed to adopt K9 Tamarack after he left the force. WLNS 6 News Tamarack has been separated from its former operator for several weeks after the former cop resigned from the City of Mason police force last month. WLNS News 6
Wildfong later said he resigned against his will, and only did so because he felt he would be able to take Tamarack with him.
The repeated rejections sparked protests across the city, prompting dozens of disgruntled community members to push for the couple’s reunion at a city council meeting.
Although officials initially said Tamarack was considered city property, they eventually turned the dog over to the Ingham County Animal Shelter.
The City of Mason claims the former handler was not entitled to custody of the dog after he was placed on leave and subsequently left his job. WLNS 6 News Wildfong later said he resigned voluntarily and only did so because he felt he would be able to take Tamarack with him. Mason City
Luckily, Wildfong jumped at the chance and officially applied to be his best adopted son.
“We have received an approved application from its former operator and tomorrow they will be reunited,” the shelter said Tuesday on Facebook.
A touching video of the reunion shows Tamarack excitedly approaching Wildfong after seeing him for the first time in weeks.
The pup jumped up to his handler in a mutual embrace and the pair exchanged kisses, with Tamarack’s tail wagging so loudly that the shelter worker escorting the dog out accidentally dropped the leash.
Wildfong told WILX that he felt a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
“We’ll go home, and we’ll play Frisbee until the sun comes up in the morning, maybe,” he said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
