The Friends of the Reading Police K-9 Unit are accepting donations to pay medical bills for Cody, the police dog who was injured on September 4, when he fell 15 to 20 feet from a catwalk while searching Southwest Middle School when the building was found to be unlocked. Cody was flown to University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital for treatment, was released, and will need follow-up medical appointments.

“The total cost is not yet known, but is expected to be rather significant,” says Keith Claytor, president of the Friends group. Cody, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, was purchased with a gift from The Friends of the Reading Police K-9 Unit Fund at Berks County Community Foundation (BCCF), and began working with Reading Police in July 2014.

Donations can be made at BCCF.org. Click the “Donate Now” button at the top of the page and fill in the information, indicating “The Friends of the Reading Police K-9 Unit Fund” as the fund to receive the donation. Donations can also be sent to: The Friends of the Reading Police K-9 Unit Fund, c/o Berks County Community Foundation, 237 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601.

BCCF is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for the region by developing, managing and distributing funds to meet existing and emerging community needs.

In the adjacent photo, Cody is pictured with his handler, Reading Police Officer John Hutchinson.