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K9 officer to retire with handler after backlash from decision to separate the pair

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. — A K-9 officer and his handler are back together following backlash over a decision to separate them.

Officer Justin Berry resigned from the Morehead City Police Department and he had worked there with his K-9 partner Knox for eight years.

But, Knox still had one more year until retirement and the city was going to pair him with another officer.

This decision led to an online petition that gathered more than 15,000 signatures.

After the petition, the city has reversed its decision and is allowing Knox to retire a year early in order to stay with Berry.

"We wish him the best with his next step in law enforcement and obviously wish Knox the best in retirement as well," city manager Ryan Eggleston said.

The city plans to re-evaluate its K-9 program as it looks to possibly purchase a new dog to replace Knox.

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