Barstow’s K9 unit celebrates 1-year anniversary

Bono barked excitedly as his handler, Barstow Police Officer Frank Benitez, pulled his car to the side of the road during a recent patrol to talk to two teenagers who were pushing an all-terrain vehicle.

Benitez spoke to the teenagers to make sure they had not stolen the ATV, then returned to the patrol car once he determined they owned it. Bono calmed down and stopped barking, but remained alert.

Bono — a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois — is one of four police dogs purchased by the Barstow Police last year in order to restart the K9 unit. The dogs were purchased to assist police officers with everyday patrol work, including catching suspects and detecting drugs.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE