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Aurora Police Reforming Canine Unit After 7 Years Without Police Dogs

AURORA, Ill. (CBS) --The Aurora Police Department has a canine unit after seven years without one. WBBM's Steve Miller was there as the dogs were put through their paces.

Aurora Police say it was time after borrowing other department's canine units for the past several years.

Aurora Police Reforming Canine Unit After 7 Years Without Police Dogs

One of the officers who has one of the four dogs is Officer Matthew Bonnie. His dog is Akroy, and Officer Bonnie is already a dog-lover. He has a pet lab at home.

"We're training constantly with our dogs," said Officer Bonnie. "Even on my days off I train with him a little bit at my house. I put articles out for him to find, or I'll go on a little track. I'll set up a little track for him to train. It's a constant, constant thing..."

aurora dog
Aurora Police Officer Matthew Bonnie with new police dog Akroy. (Credit: Steve Miller)

Officer Bonnie says his lab is not jealous.

"They know each other. They're there, but not really. Once my lab realizes the other dog isn't coming in the house, then there's no issues," said Bonnie.

Officer Bonnie and the other three officers have been working with their dogs for six weeks now.

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