Image of Officer Ryan Smith and Officer Asta. Image from Burlington Police Department Facebook page.
With the probability that Asta the Police Dog will not return to her duties, the officer who cared of Asta everyday wants to buy her from the breeder.
Burlington Police have decided to retire Asta after it was revealed she has a medical condition in which her body cannot properly absorb nutrients. A special powder can be sprinkled on her dog food to help her absorb nutrients, but the cost is more than what the department can bare.
Ryan Smith, who has since left the department, has expressed that he would like to purchase Asta.
But buying Asta is not as simple as asking BPD to buy her. As a part of their contract with the breeder, the Police Department must sell her back to the breeder. From there Smith can purchase Asta.
Police Chief Dennis Kramer said that if Asta is not purchased by Smith, the breeder, who trains officers and K-9s, will use Asta for training purposes.
Smith has started a GoFundMe to raise the estimated $8,000 needed to purchase Asta back from the Breeder.
