Marin Cops Rally For Injured K9 'Nova'

NOVATO, CA — “Nova” has battled through injuries without complaints for 2 ½ years to help keep local residents safe.

Now the Novato Police Officer Association is now hoping the community will pitch in to help make sure the 5-year-old male Belgian Malinois can get medical care so he can enjoy the retirement he deserves.

The NPOA has launched a crowdfunding drive that aims to raise the $11,000 needed to cover Nova’s medical bills.

As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe campaign had raised over $4,300 for Nova.

“(Nova) has assisted in ensuring the safe surrender of numerous violent suspects and the seizure of copious amounts of illegal narcotics,” organizers wrote of the beloved K9 on his GoFundMe page.

Nova during training suffered an injury to his back leg that required surgery, and then shortly after being cleared to return to duty started showing signs of a bacterial infection.

He underwent another surgery but that wouldn't be his last.

Nova became injured again during a SWAT training exercise and the time has come for him to medically retire at five years of age.

His handler, Brian Ringo, will adopt Nova as his family pet, and police officers are rallying to help Ringo cover the costs of Nova's required procedure.

The GoFundMe drive aims to support Ringo and Nova as the K9 transitions from hunting down bad guys to just being a good dog.

To learn more about Nova or to contribute visit here.

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