A Montgomery County police officer chokes back tears when he talks about his dear partner of four years -- a K9 named Chip.
Officer Gil Fones is battling his own police department to get Chip returned to him. When police dogs are retired, they generally are given to the officer who trained them. But Fones said the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) ordered him to turn in his partner earlier this summer.
"I'm brokenhearted," Fones said as he fought back tears. "It's hard to talk about Chip not being here. He was a very vital part of our family."
Chip lived with Fones -- a 27-year police veteran -- his wife and their six children for four years. Fones expected to be able to keep the dog he'd trained to search buildings and track suspects.
The MCPD said the department no longer owns Chip and that he's been given to a "reputable K9 rescue organization." Officials said they cannot provide additional information because of an ongoing, confidential personnel matter.
Fones said he just wants to know where Chip is and why he was taken.
"They didn't give me a single reason," he said.
