Narcotics K-9 Team
"Aron"
Aron is a black Belgian Malinois who has been with the Pendleton Police Department since October 10, 2005. He is seven and half years old and was born in the
Aron is a symbol that we are not giving up - he is truly a valuable asset to this agency and the community he serves. As a trusted and honorable member of the Pendleton Police Department, Aron works diligently with handler, Corporal Lance Zaugg, to serve our community by helping with the battle against the epidemic of illegal drugs our society is faced with.
Aron has over 690 hours of training. In addition, he and his handler train a minimum of 8 hours a month. Aron is certified in the odors of Marijuana, Opium, Methamphetamine and Cocaine. He is certified through the Oregon Police Canine Association and the California POST. In addition, Aron will be attempting to gain certification in
Corporal Lance Zaugg
Corporal Lance Zaugg has been with the Pendleton Police Department since March 23, 2003 and is our certified K-9 handler and a Field Training Officer. Cpl. Zaugg can be reached at (541) 276-4411 Ext. 4580 or by email at Lance.Zaugg@ci.pendleton.or.us.
Cpl. Zaugg was sent to Adlerhorst International, Inc. Police K-9 Academy in Riverside, California in October of 2005 with the understanding he would return with a drug dog. Aron became his partner, and together they completed the five-week training course in Narcotic Detection.
Cpl. Zaugg and Aron our members of the Oregon Police Canine Association and attend the conferences that the OPCA conducts. Twice a month Officer Zaugg and Aron travel to the Tri-Cities, Washington and attend 8 hours of training with several canine teams located in Washington State including Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Prosser Police Department, Kennewick Police Department, Pasco Police Department and the Washington Department of Corrections. Officer Zaugg and Aron also train with the Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Corrections locally.
The K-9 Team has shown steady improvement through quality training and actually K-9 call outs. The Team has proven it is an effective resource for searches of illegal drugs. Here are some photos of the team’s searches.
Evidence Photo 1
Evidence Photo 2
Evidence Photo 3