Riggs
Submitted photo
A Whiteland Police K-9 is undergoing medical treatment after becoming abruptly ill.
K-9 Riggs started to act like he wasn’t feeling well in the middle of last week. The 4-year-old German Shepard has been a member of the Whiteland Police Department for the last 1.5 years following the retirement of K-9 Vader, said Sgt. Scott Doss, who is Riggs’ handler.
Doss and his wife took Riggs to a veterinarian where he was given preliminary tests and started on antibiotics. However, things did not progress as they wanted, Doss said.
“We went, did some blood work and the blood work came back pretty abnormal,” he said.
After talking with veterinarians at Briarcrest Animal Hospital and Franklin Animal Hospital, Doss and his wife took Riggs to an animal hospital in Beech Grove to continue treatment. As of Tuesday afternoon, Riggs is stable and treatment is progressing but there has not been an exact diagnosis, Doss said.
Riggs’ illness is not connected to the mysterious dog illness that has been reported in several states over the last month. This was ruled out by veterinarians as he does not have the symptoms or the blood work associated with that illness, Doss said.
Although Riggs is improving the cost of his care is a concern, as it is very expensive. Although Whiteland Police can cover some of the costs, the continued cost of care will add up. So the department is seeking donations to help fund Riggs’ continued care.
Initially, the fundraiser was on a private GoFundMe. Because it was over the holidays, the town administration was closed and Whiteland Police did not want to wait to get the ball rolling to help fund Riggs’ treatment, Doss said.
They were also unsure how much Riggs’ diagnosis and treatment would cost.
“It was just a way to get the word out there and get the ball rolling in case further funds were needed once everything was figured out,” he said.
Now that Christmas has passed, the donations will instead be funneled to the department’s K-9 donations program through the town directly, Doss said. As of Tuesday afternoon, $1,010 has been raised on GoFundMe and will be transferred.
Riggs is a valued member of the Whiteland Police Department. Originally from Holland, Whiteland Police were able to get him through Alabama K-9, Doss said.
At Whiteland Police, Riggs is a full patrol K-9 capable of doing everything from narcotics searches to tracking to apprehending suspects. He is also loved by the community, Doss said.
“He’s an outstanding partner and a great asset to the community,” Doss said. “Everyone that he’s interacted with has loved him and is wholeheartedly ecstatic with him being a part of our department and community. Our department is a tight-knit group and a family. He is 100% a part of that, and we want to make sure it stays that way.”
Those interested in donating to help cover Riggs’ expenses can do so in person at the Whiteland Police Department or Town Hall, 549 E. Main St., Whiteland.
