Roethlisberger donates to Aurora K-9 unit

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger used his charitable organization to donate money to the Aurora, Colo., Police K-9 Unit.

Aurora has seven full-time officers assigned to the unit and will use the grant to purchase and train a new dog as Zacko, the city's only bomb sniffing dog, is ready for retirement.

"If we are to acquire a new dog and have him completely trained and familiar with his surroundings and responsibilities, we need to have that dog now in order to have the time and opportunity to train him to his full potential," said Police Chief Bill Oates.

"I admire their use of specialized K-9s to further protect our communities," Roethlisberger said.

In 2007, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will distribute grants to police and fire Departments in Pittsburgh and in the cities and surrounding communities of each Steelers' regular season road opponents.

One of his initial donations was to the police department in Findlay, Ohio, his hometown.