$50K raised to help retired officer buy his longtime K-9 partner

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People have stepped up to help a retired Ohio police officer purchase his longtime K-9 partner.

By Sunday, a GoFundMe page set up to help buy Ajax when the city takes him to auction had raised more than $50,000.

Recently retired Marietta officer Matt Hickey has offered to buy the dog for $3,500 -- the police dog’s estimated value -- but the city said Ajax must be sold at auction because he’s public property, according to a report from The Associated Press.

Any excess funds raised on the GoFundMe page will go toward buying protective vests for other K-9 officers, according to the AP.

In an interview with WBNS-TV in Columbus, Hickey said he has cared for the dog for three years and that he's like a family member.