The celebrity black dog that uncovered P19 000
In recent days, the Botswana Police black Rottweiler sniffer dog has gained fame that no one anticipated after it suddenly graced families’ living rooms on almost a daily basis through local television station BTV. With just a bark and sniff, it can make grown men shake in their boots.
The dog has garnered notoriety among drug peddlers and users as it exposes them with just a sniff. In the past few months, Botswana Police have amplified their drug bust through the engagement of detection dogs, better known as sniffer dogs, which are becoming drug peddlers’ worst nightmare. According to Botswana Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Dipheko Motube, the Narcotics Unit, together with the CID, has been traversing suspected drug hot spots, to root out these peddlers and catch the syndicates. “We want to uproot drugs from society, and the continued efforts form part of this plan,” he said.
For several weeks now, audiences have been left captivated by the black sniffer dogs shown on Botswana Television news, depicting drug raids carried out by the police, the CID and narcotic squad, across Gaborone and surrounding areas. With one sniff, the dog can find drugs, particularly marijuana. In one episode, the police seemed to have given up their search but the black dog seemed to say, ‘No… there is something in here.’
It then went to a cupboard and pulled out a stash of weed that had been hidden in a corner. The black dog has torn apart pillows, searched under beds to retrieve marijuana and even unearthed a bag with pot and money amounting to P19, 500. Bascially, the black dog “is not for children.” Dogs generally have a terrific sense of smell.
They also use their ears with their nose in scent tracking. But the sniffer dog is not the average mutt that responds to ‘saa’ and can be easily enticed with rotten meat or a bone – it is formally trained over a period of time and is dedicated to policing duties. According to the Botswana Police, they launched a canine unit as a response to the increasing numbers of illicit goods, particularly drugs, smuggled through Botswana’s exit and entrance points.
The dogs are expected to complement law enforcement initiatives geared at protecting the people of Botswana against harmful criminal activities that have taken root in the country. A group of sniffer dogs and dog handlers graduated in February this year. More about sniffer dogs: Sniffer dogs are trained to detect illicit drugs, endangered species, arms and ammunition, and currencies. Canines used as sniffer dogs include the Dutch and German shepherd, Labrador retriever and sheepdog, among others. A sniffer dog is trained to use its senses to detect substances such as contraband, drugs, blood and even currency and wildlife scat.
In other parts of the world, sniffer dogs are now also used in the medical industry, as studies have revealed that these special mutts can detect specific odours associated with numerous medical conditions such as cancer.