Aurora police dog visits Lions luncheon meeting

Aurora's Noon Lions Club hosted a four-legged guest at their biweekly luncheon meeting July 7.

Akroy, one of four new Aurora Police Department K-9 unit dogs, demonstrated his skills for the Lions after their bi-weekly membership luncheon at Luigi's Pizza in Aurora. Led his handler, Officer Matt Bonnie, Akroy demonstrated his skills outdoors by finding a wallet hidden in a grass yard and by locating a dog toy stashed in a squad car.

Before the demonstration, Lt. Rick Robertson, a Noon Lion, and Bonnie recounted how four dogs and handlers began service May 3 after a seven-year hiatus due to budget constraints.

Akroy's canine colleagues are Rex, Anthos and Beny. Their respective handlers are Aaron Spooner, Ernique Rodarte and Mark Carey.

Selected in a rigorous process, the officers were chosen as handlers based on experience, skills and work ethic. Lt. Nick Coronado oversees the unit.

According to Lt. Robertson, the dogs are valuable for locating people and illegal narcotics. Obtained from Dutch and Czech suppliers, the dogs live to work and consider it play he said.

Grants funded the $400,000 for unit startup costs.