Ohio PD Story Smells Like Wet Dog: Decommissioned K-9 and Retirement Fee?

Retiring Parma police dog's price sparks controversy (video, photos)
Cleveland.com
By Maura Zurick
May 19, 2016

Kim Toporowych, said Felix and her husband have an "incredible bond" and she "knew that Dan would never have a more loyal partner than Felix."

PARMA, Ohio –Just how much a Parma police officer had to pay to reunite with the dog that was his work partner is a matter of perspective. His wife pegs the figure at $3,500. The city says the family paid $1 - and donated $3,499 to the city's coffers.

Felix is a 6-year-old former Parma K-9 officer. (Maura Zurick)

Kim Toporowych, the the wife of officer Dan Toporowych, said they were told they would have to pay $3,500 to purchase Felix, who was being retired. She said she learned after making the payment that state regulations required only a $1 payment for a decommissioned K-9.

The Toporowychs raised nearly $4,000 on gofundme to buy the K-9, so it didn't come out of their pockets. Still, Kim Toporowych feels like the city was less than forthcoming in dealing with her husband.

They considered the dog a part of their family but Felix was technically city property. City officials valued the dog at more than $10,000, and determined he could have worked another three years.
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