LYNWOOD, ILL. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- An online fundraiser for an injured police dog in south suburban Lynwood has raised $22,000.
Dante is a 6-year-old Dutch Shepherd who hurt his spine while chasing a ball with his partner at work Friday.
Staci Goveia, founder of the non-profit Protecting K9 Heroes, said it took only 8 hours to raise the money through a Go Fund Me campaign and private donations.
She called the response "unbelievable" and said it has included well-wishes from Europe.
Dante is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow to fix two vertebrae that were injured when he crashed into some equipment.
It's keeping him from using his back legs, Goveia said, despite attempts to stand up when his partner Luke Tambrini came to visit.
Lynwood police won't know until after the surgery if Dante can come back to work or if he'll have to retire.
Goveia said the massive response means his handler won't have to pay for the procedure or an aftercare plan.
If there's money left over, she said they'll donate it to other injured police or military dogs.
