KENT, Wash. -- A police dog that served Seattle fighting crime for a decade now needs the community's help to heal.

Bad guys don't like seeing Barkley. Over the years, criminals have punched, kicked, and choked the Seattle police dog.

"Barkley's located everything from stolen property to apprehending robbery suspects," said Eric Dupleich, Barkley's handler.

Barkley has even tracked down murder suspects on the run. But the force recently retired the German Shepard, and Dupleich fears he'll have to put his dog down.

"He's probably not going to make it through the end of the year if he continues at this rate," Dupleich said.

In his eight years of police service, Barkley has tracked down nearly 200 suspects and pieces of evidence. Just last year he was answering 911 calls, but now he can barely move.

Barkley's body has deteriorated since his last MRI.

"This is kind of a work-related injury, the bulging part of this," Dr. Sean Sanders said while pointing at Barkley's scan.

Dr. Sanders says without surgery, the police dog that twice earned with Eric K-9 team of the year, will eventually be too weak to walk.

"This is a herniated disc putting pressure on the nerves that go to the tail and back legs," Dr. Sanders said.

Barkley doesn't get a police pension; his handler now covers medical bills, and Dupliech says his family can't afford spinal surgery or a new MRI.

"It just breaks my heart," Dupliech said.

Dr. Sanders says he'd waive his surgery fee, cutting operating costs by $3,000.

"It's a way to give back to them," Sanders said. "They've given a lot to us."

"That's amazing," Dupleich said. "That's great! Still could cost $4,000 for the surgery but he's willing to waive, that's fantastic."

Eric says all he wants is to give Barkley a quality life after he put his life on the line for us.

Editor's Note: See update to the story at this link