Sidelined by serious illness: Racine K-9 "Marco" is now on the mend

RACINE (WITI) -- Southeastern Wisconsin's K-9 units are a special breed. When one of their own is sidelined -- the entire community responds. "Marco" -- a long-time member of the Racine K-9 Unit recently faced his toughest assignment yet!

On Tuesday, May 13th with utmost respect, Racine paid tribute to officers lost in the line of duty, and extended gratitude to those serving today.

One badge was absent from Tuesday's ceremony.

Marco is recovering from what could have been a deadly illness.

"He was telling us the dog's stomach had flipped and he was in trouble," Mount Pleasant Police Officer Dale Swart said.

Marco is a 10-year-old Belgium Malinois. His handler is Racine Police Officer Tim Waystedt.

Marco has been a K-9 officer 2006 -- working both narcotics and chasing down bad guys.

"I know marco very well," Racine Police Officer David Arvai said.

Arvai has trained with Marco for years. Arvai's partner, "Titan" is the same breed.

Last Thursday, May 8th, Marco's life almost came to an end.

"Officer Waystedt discovered the dog at his home and in his kennel and appeared to be ill. He was quite bloated," Arvai said.

Marco had emergency surgery for gastric torsion -- a twisting of the stomach that is fatal if not treated.

The surgery wasn't cheap -- costing upwards of $5,000!

"That's when everyone seemed to just pass it along and like it and share it and next thing you know and all sorts of people as I know it were donating," Swart said.

By the end of the weekend, several thousand dollars was donated to the Racine Police Department.

On top of that, the vet clinic that treated Marco reduced the bill by half.

"Our community did an amazing job putting the money out there and getting it done," Arvai said.

Marco is now recovering -- and he's undoubtedly chomping at the bit to return to work.