MOUNTAINBURG (KFSM) -- From his sloppy kisses to his wagging tail, you would never guess K9 Officer Duke had a rough past.
“He came from a very difficult background," said Mountainburg Police Chief Vincent Clamser, "We like to present him to the school kids to show that you can go from a very difficult past where you were abused and tied up in chains, and have a successful future.”
For the past year Duke has thrived within the Mountainburg Police Department. He was the first pit bull to become a K9 officer in Arkansas and has earned his place at the department helping the community.
He has also been used in cases in Sebastian County and Washington County, but now he's facing a new challenge; a torn CCL in his back right knee.
“The last two or three weeks he’s been in a lot of pain, he’s limping... he’s having to hold his leg up when he walks," said Clamser.
That is why Duke will undergo surgery on Tuesday (June 5).
There is another obstacle; The surgery comes at a price of about $3,000. Money that is not in the department's budget.
“Ultimately we’re responsible for that, but we’re trying to get some help from the community," Clamser said, "They’ve been very supportive in the past to Duke.”
If you would like to help Duke, you can drop donations off at Mountainburg City Hall.
The department also has a gofundme page that you can donate to by clicking here.