Murrieta’s First Gun-Detecting K9 Sniffs Out Firearm During DUI Stop

MURRIETA, CA — Murrieta's newest four-legged officer was able to locate a hidden fire during a DUI checkpoint earlier this month — a first for the department.

That's because Kyra isn't just any K9. The Belgian Malinois, born last year, is the department's first-ever gun detection dog.

Unlike the other trained police dogs on the team who are narcotics-trained, Kyra is trained to sniff out firearms, ammunition and a variety of gun powders — seven odors in total, the department said in a release.

On Feb. 8, Kyra was brought out to investigate a vehicle that a woman was accused of driving under the influence. After the woman was arrested on multiple charges, police discovered she was legally prohibited from possessing firearms. At the same time, officers' suspicions were raised after finding a weapon-mounted light in the car's passenger compartment, police said.

That's when they brought Kyra in. Quickly, she was able to detect an odor coming from the back seats. Officers opened the trunk and placed Kyra inside, where she zeroed in on a shoebox near the back of the trunk.

Inside the box was a brand-new pair of boots. Tucked inside the boots, officers discovered a firearm, a gun magazine, and ammunition.

"The driver picked up some additional charges and Kyra picked up a treat and some extra belly rubs for a job well done," officers wrote on social media Wednesday.