Hingham Police K9 Returns From ACL Injury

Hingham Police K9 Axel is back on the job after recovering from surgery on a torn ACL in May.

The police K9 was injured during training earlier this year and the community came together to raise $3,500 for his surgery.

Police Sgt. Steven Dearth said the K9 program a total of $13,600 in donations from the community, which covered the surgery and will pay for any future K9 medical expenses.

“The outpouring of support from our community and beyond has been heartwarming” said Chief Michael Peraino said in a written statement. “This shows the close relationship that we continue to have with the community”.

Since the news of Axel’s injury, the department received over 70 letters, cards, and donations from individuals across the country.

Dearth said in many of the cards and letters the department received people added photos of their own dogs.  One even included a handwritten letter from a 10 year old boy who is deaf. He included a cash donation of $16 that he had saved up, Dearth said.

Across Hingham, Axel received support from businesses and local residents.

Stone Hearth Pizza Co. and Hingham Square’s Maggie’s Dog House held  “A Slice and a Scooby Snack,” a two-day campaign to assist the Hingham Police Department’s fundraising efforts. At the fundraiser, they offered a $7 slice of Stone Hearth’s house-made Neapolitan style thin crust pizza and a handmade Maggie’s dog biscuit, with proceeds going to the HPD K9 fund for Axel.

The Hingham Little League team, sponsored by HPD, also raised $200 for Axel and presented to a check to Foss before their game.

At the Citizen Police Academy Graduation in the Spring, Jimmy Davidson and Jennifer Sheelen presented Officer Foss with funds raised from wristbands  they sold for $4 each for the police dog.

The Blauer uniform company also raised $500 for Axel, by donating $1 for each new Like on their Facebook page from June 1 through June 2 to support the dog's surgery. 

“People have gone out of their way to stop me on the street just to ask how Axel was doing” said K9 Officer James Foss.  ”I’m truly humbled by the amount of generosity and support shown for my partner”.

During Axel’s recovery the Police Department posted updates and photos about his recovery on their Twitter account.