While most detection dogs are known for their ability to sniff out drugs and other illegal substances for law enforcement, these skilled canines are a growing resource in a variety of industries.
From sniffing out illegally trafficked wildlife and endangered or invasive species to helping find lost family pets, the dog job market is one to keep an eye on.
In Saskatoon, a city in Saskatchewan, Canada, nearly 3-year-old golden retriever Taffy is paving the way for her species as an electronic storage detection dog, or ESD, for the Saskatchewan police.
Taffy’s job, as part of the force’s Internet Child Exploitation unit, is to locate hidden electronic storage devices, specifically in searches for evidence in child exploitation cases.
“Digital evidence plays a significant role in internet child exploitation investigations,” Staff Sergeant Tim Failler, coordinator of the Saskatoon Internet Child Exploitation Unit, said in a statement.
“Even the smallest device can hold thousands of images, videos, and messages. The introduction of Taffy as a resource for investigators greatly increases our ability to locate those devices and hold offenders accountable.”
According to a spokesperson for the Saskatoon police, ESD’s are trained to detect the chemical compounds commonly found in electronics like cell phones, USBs, hard drives, SD cards, laptops, and other digital media.
Taffy came to the Saskatoon police by way of the nonprofit OUR Rescue, a group that works with law enforcement to combat human trafficking and child exploitation through the use of dogs like her.
The group helps train ESD dogs and donates them to law enforcement agencies, and covers the costs of annual recertifications, further training, and more. According to CBC, the group also pays for Taffy’s treats.
OUR Rescue has sponsored 142 ESD placements in seven countries, including 38 states in the U.S.
Taffy’s handler, Saskatoon police Detective Bryon Sommacal, said dogs like her play an important role in finding evidence humans may not see, and help speed along the process in large search areas.
“Their noses are extraordinary parts of their anatomy,” he told CBC.
“All these dogs are used, basically, to make sure we don’t miss anything,” he continued in a video.
In addition to her primary work to locate electronic devices, Taffy also serves as a deep therapy support dog for victims of crime and members of the police force.
“Since beginning her work, Taffy has fulfilled each function of her role,” a statement from the Saskatoon police said. “Locating hidden electronic devices during the execution of search warrants, providing comfort to a child victim of a sex crime, and, most recently, supporting members of the SPS following the sudden loss of a colleague.”
Even though she’s on the prowl for evidence of a crime, Taffy remains a very good girl.
"You can see her demeanor [is] so calm … she’s just so nice to be around,” Failler told CBC. “It helps people be more comfortable in an uncomfortable situation.”
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Header images courtesy of Saskatoon Police
