Retired Raytown police dog dies

Aik, a retired Raytown police patrol dog, was euthanized Wednesday because of deteriorating health, according to police.

Trained in narcotics detection, building searches and other skills, the 12-year-old German shepherd began his service with the police department Aug. 27, 2003. The following day, Aik and his handler, Michael Klein, helped Jackson County and federal authorities detect 185 pounds of marijuana hidden in a crate of items bound for Kansas City. Authorities estimated the marijuana had a street value of $120,000.

Over the years, Aik worked alongside Raytown officers and assisted numerous municipal, state and federal agencies, including schools, with narcotics detections and other duties, police said.

Aik received the department’s distinguished service award in December 2006. He was decommissioned in February 2010.

This story was originally published January 29, 2014 at 11:37 AM with the headline "Retired Raytown police dog dies."