An Ohio police K9 has been reunited with his handler following an outpouring of support from the community and efforts to keep the pair together.
News initially spread that Bedford Heights K-9 Bosco would be transferred to the Strongsville Police Department despite reluctance from the dog’s handler Officer Ryan Kaetzel.
Following a public outcry and legal battles, the pair has been reunited.
Officer Kaetzel, who had been with the Bedford Heights Police Department since 2011, became a K-9 handler in 2018 and worked with Bosco for seven years.
However, following a lawsuit Kaetzel filed against Bedford Heights in which he sought overtime pay for his role as the department’s police dog handler, the department decided to split the pair.
According to court filings, Kaetzel was initially informed that he could keep Bosco after the city planned to disband the K-9 program, following Ohio law that allows K-9 handlers to purchase their police dogs for $1 each from their respective cities.
However, the officer was later instructed to return Bosco, which caused an uproar among officers and the community.
Further outrage ensued after rumors circulated on social media that Bosco might face euthanasia. A friend of Kaetzel took the initiative to start a GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise funds to buy Bosco from the city and keep him within the family.
A peaceful protest was later planned outside Bedford Heights City Hall, where residents and supporters intended to voice their demand for justice. The sentiment echoed throughout the community, with calls for the police department to “do the right thing” and reunite the duo.
Eventually, Kaetzel’s attorney filed an amended complaint accusing the city and its police chief, Mike Marotta, of retaliation against Officer Kaetzel. The legal battle escalated, eventually reaching U.S. District Judge Bridget Brennan’s attention.
Following days of uncertainty, the Bedford Heights Police Department finally made the announcement that Bosco was back with Kaetzel, despite planning to eventually reassign Bosco to another officer.
“K-9 Bosco went home with patrolman Kaetzel today,” the department shared in a Facebook post.
“Bosco has been, and will continue to be, a valued and cherished member of the city’s police department …” a department press release stated.
