By Police1 Staff
ANDERSON, Calif. — A K-9 was pulled from duty after becoming afflicted with an unknown infectious disease, KRCR reported.
The K-9, a Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd cross named Aero, lost a significant amount of muscle mass and weight over the past month, but doctors have beem unable to identify the cause.
Aero, 3, has served with the department since Oct. 2013. He has helped arrest over 50 suspects, found large amounts of drugs and drug money and helped conduct many presentations to local schools, according to the GoFundMe page established by the department.
Yesterday, Aero’s handler, K-9 Officer Mike Hallagan, posted a thank you to the GoFundMe for all the support.
“I am absolutely overwhelmed and appreciative of the generosity everyone has given Aero and I,” Hallagan wrote.
Aero was sent to the University of California Davis animal clinic for blood work, cultures and an ultrasound that found a previously undiscovered infection in his abdomen.
So far, the department has raised over $3,000 of the $15,000 needed to support Aero.
The department is seeking the community’s help in raising funds to help cover the costs of Aero’s medical treatment, as the funds from the department’s K-9 account is completely based off donations.
Donations can be sent to the Anderson Police Department directly or through Aero’s GoFundMe page.