ABERDEEN, Wash. - A police dog that was laid off due to budget cuts is back on the job after the community rallied behind him and raised enough money to continue Aberdeen Police Department's K-9 program.

Police Chief Bob Torgerson said the K-9 dog, "Nitro," returned to work on Wednesday afternoon with his longtime handler, K-9 Officer Steve Timmons.

Nitro's job was eliminated in May - despite his stellar crime-fighting record - when the Aberdeen Police Department needed to cut its budget, which was hit hard by the recession and closure of a local sawmill.

Some $57,000 was raised by the community to reinstate Nitro and the K-9 program, Torgerson said.

"Nitro and Officer Steve Timmons were able to begin serving the public again due to a generous gift of over $43,000 from the Tamaki Foundation and over $13,000 from individuals, groups and businesses in the Aberdeen area," the chief said.

"The ability to serve our community and the morale of the department increased significantly with the return of Nitro partnered with Officer Timmons."

Since he joined the force in 2005, 6-year-old Nitro has helped nab between 35 and 40 suspects.