1st Bloodhound K-9 Is Newest Member Of Aurora Police Department

AURORA, IL — The newest member of the Aurora Police Department is a furry, four-legged bloodhound named Sadie.

Sadie is the department's first K-9 bloodhound, and she will have one primary purpose: locating humans, be it missing people or criminal suspects, officials said.

The bloodhound was paired with Officer Grant Weil, a six-year veteran of the Aurora Police Department, in July before they began an extensive 8-week training program hosted by the Kane County Sheriff's K-9 Academy. During the two months of training, the pair focused intently on trailing, which consists of using human odors to track someone.

Weil and Sadie worked with Sergeant Nick Wolf at the academy, graduating Oct. 20. Three days later, the two worked their first shift together.

"Sergeant [Nick] Wolf dedicated a significant amount of time which led to the success of K-9 Sadie and I graduating the academy," Weil said in a statement. "His hard work and dedication to his program will definitely show as we bring these skills to better serve the citizens of Aurora."