SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Almost immediately, there was a strong connection between Igor and his handler, Chad Hagan.
They have been together since Igor was a year old.
There is the saying a dog picks its owner, and that is certainly that case says Hagan's wife Danielle, "Igor has only listened to Chad his entire life. That is his only known handler."
Both the dog and his handler have been working for the Shaker Heights Police Department. But Hagan is moving on to another department. He would like to take the German Shepherd with him as his pet, keeping Igor along side their other dog, Otto.
"His request to purchase Igor was denied. He offered to pay $10,000 and he was told no financial amount would be considered."
According to Section 141.07 of Shaker Heights' city ordinance, the administration has no authority to sell the dog.
A city police officer who leaves the the city's K-9 unit while the police dog assigned to the officer is still fit for duty forfeits the right to purchase the animal under this section.
"They say he still has workability but at six and a half what does he have maybe a year in a half max. Maybe two years."
The Chief of Police Wayne D. Hudson offered Hagan the option to stay for two more years, but Hagan declined.
Hagan also says there is staff willing to train a new dog for free if Igor is allowed to leave. Instead Igor was surrendered to Beacon Hill boarding kennel on November 29th in Parma.
Since the story first broke, Igor's plight has exploded on social media. On Facebook there is "Bring canine Igor home" on the city's Facebook page. Comment after comment in favor of the pooch. There is even a GoFundMe page. None of which Hagan has any part of.
She appreciates the support for her husband, but in the end it's about the connection between Chad and Igor. She says the longer they are apart, Igor's loving spirit is breaking, which will make it hard for another trainer to handle
"Igor and Chad are best friends they do everything together they are together 24/7 he is with his dog more than he is with me or his daughter."