An injured Metro Transit patrol dog who could not undergo dental work due to lack of funding has been offered treatment thanks to the kindness of strangers; an online campaign to raise the money for 3-year-old Blu to have three root canals and four crowns has surpassed the goal by several thousand pounds.
D.C patrol dog Blue suffered the cracked teeth some time ago but the city’s public transportation authority refused to pay for his treatment, whilst also providing an ultimatum to his handler, Metro Transit Police veteran Steve Morrison, that the dog would need to have the problems repaired within a fortnight to keep his position. Morrison’s wife, Christine, spoke to My Fox DC, commenting that the authority were aware that Blu was suffering but were unwilling to do anything about it, she also praised the dog, saying ‘He’s one of the best tracking dogs the department has ever had… He fully understands what his job is and he will protect my husband, which is what their ultimate job is.’
Metro issues a statement to Fox at the time, stating that ‘The transit police department has a diminished need for patrol dogs. When an existing dog is no longer able to fulfil its duties, the dog is allowed to retire and the position is eliminated.’
However, thanks to Indiegogo, a campaign was launched last week to raise money to help Blue get the treatment he needs and the Morrison family are happy that Blu will be able to get back to work pain-free soon. They also added that any extra money raised would go to pay for other Metro K9 units that also require medical treatment, which the department may not be willing to pay for.