Clarifying what it described as a “miscommunication,” the Clayton County Commission said Tuesday it has agreed to pay the medical costs of Lakota, a police K-9 dog injured on duty.
Officer Travis Fox, Lakota’s handler, and the 5-year-old German shepherd were heading to the scene of a suspected home invasion Oct. 4 when their patrol car crashed. Both were rushed to hospitals.
Fox, who has been released from the hospital, and his wife, Corey, offered to pay Lakota’s medical costs after the county retired the dog from the police force, meaning the county no longer would be responsible for the bills.
Lakota has been in stable but critical condition at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The officer and dog were reunited there Tuesday.
Three of Lakota's legs were in casts, and Fox's face was covered with cuts, and he is still sore from multiple broken ribs, Channel 2 Action News reported.
"It's just a relief that they can still be together," Corey Fox, the officer's wife, told Channel 2. "He's a very important person in our family and a very important person in my husband's life."
UGA veterinarians said the dog would recover from his injuries and walk again. He is moving about with the help of a sling.
Corey Fox has told the AJC that the surgery and medical care could total more than $10,000, but the hospital has agreed to cut the cost to around $3,000. Those wishing to see updates about Lakota can check the dog's Facebook page.
Last week, Clayton Chairman Eldrin Bell said the county should pick up the dog’s veterinary bills.
In the news release issued Tuesday, the county said commissioners' prior actions “were based upon their understanding that Officer Fox had requested that ownership of Lakota be transferred to him and that he had agreed to be responsible for his medical expenses.
“Based upon subsequent media reports, it appears that there may have been some miscommunication regarding this request,” the release said.
“Since Lakota was injured while on duty with the police department, Clayton County has agreed to pay the medical expenses for his care at the university and he will retire to what we all hope is a long life with Officer Fox,” the county said.
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