(WUSA9) -- After a protest and a petition, the K9 officer who was split from his Maryland handler is coming back home.
In late April, K9 officer Chip bit his handler, Montgomery County Officer Gil Fones, during a training exercise. After an evaluation, the department decided to give Chip to a rescue agency they said is experienced with police and military canines.
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Fones, considered Chip family and fought to bring him back home.
On Tuesday, it was announced on Facebook that Chip was with Fones, and the family was headed back home to Maryland.
The K9 officer's split from his handler sparked public outcry.
On October 15, more than a dozen people protested outside an event honoring Police Chief Tom Manager, who said Chip was adopted by the rescue agency and is safe.
The calls to bring Chip were also heard outside Montgomery County. A change.org petition got more than 219,000 signatures and Facebook and Twitter accounts dedicated to the cause have thousands of followers.
The K9 Chip Facebook page posted, "We thank everyone who signed the petition, all who supported the effort to #BringChipHome, and all who saw the injustice. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU."
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