Now this is a subject I shouldn't write about, but having been stopped in a road block, asked if I was carrying anything illegal, and then had the inside of my car sniffed by a dog, I thought I should.
Travelling down a road not normally used, heading towards a dam I hoped would offer up a good photograph or two, I met a police controlled road block. A quick pat of the pocket assured me I had my licence, and with my seat belt on, I was feeling confident I'd have no problem.
Morning officer my opening comment, Morning, routine check. the answer, not very friendly I thought as we went through the lights and indicator checks. All worked obviously, are you carrying anything in your car that might be illegal? his question to me. Not at all Officer I politely reply, will you please step out of the car. Now this is a request I consider refusing, I have a legal right to know what their suspicion is, as they may not search unless they think I've committed a crime.
Not wishing to waste time, light being important to my hobby, I stepped out and that's when I noticed the sniffer dog. Now this was no ordinary dog, it was a mixed breed, with no possible chance of identifying the main type. As thin as a rake, yet wide awake and happy, what's wrong with the dog? I asked the waiting cop, nothing, we got him from a dealer, best damn sniffer dog we've ever had. It turned its back to me and with its tail up reminded me of a pencil sharpener. You know the type that was always on the teacher's desk at school, the fat grey sharpener with the small hole.
Now I love dogs and when it was my turn to receive its attention, I greeted the dog and gave it a pat. With all the doors open it sniffed around, finding nothing as I expected. Thank you Sir. was the end of the search, but not the end for me. Hold on a minute I addressed the handler Why don't you feed the dog? he explained to me how they got the dog, a confiscated hound from a drug bust, someone's pet, taken to their pound they discovered this dog could sniff out any drug.
It suffered from what we call Africa disease, which is a dog that scavenge for its meals. A healthy dog just naturally thin, a happy dog, it enjoyed the attention I gave it. It had received promotion, from almost dead to police dog over night and although being now well fed, kept its natural leanness.
Can you fool a drug sniffing dog? No, not when trained by dealers, who use it to check their drugs, and drug quality. A well-loved pet now doing its duty, reducing the transport of drugs.
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