K9 Luna Hired To Combat Child Exploitation in Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — A talented new investigator has been assigned to the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Luna Pixel, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever, is capable of sniffing out electronics that are used as part of child exploitation, officials said.

Homeland Security Investigations partnered with the Colorado Springs Police Department to purchase Luna, who received several months of training to detect and find electronic devices, such as thumb drives, laptops, hard drives, CDs and DVDs, officials said.

Jay Ingersoll, an assistant special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in Colorado, said Luna will be an essential teammate.

“Child predators are becoming more savvy in their efforts to exploit children for their sick fantasies, and HSI along with our partners at the CSPD and ICAC task force are working together to stay ahead of them,” Ingersoll said in a statement.

“K9 Luna, the electronics sniffing dog, is another critical tool to help us investigate and bring criminals to justice by finding evidence hidden throughout houses and workplaces.”

The money used to purchase Luna was taken from funds seized from illicit activity, and taxpayer money was not used, officials said.

Luna, a Colorado Springs native, has the distinction of being the first working dog in Colorado able to detect electronics, officials said.

In fiscal year 2019, the number of children rescued and/or identified from instances of child exploitation grew to 1,069, compared with 859 the year prior, Homeland Security Investigations said. The agency also saw increases in the number of cases initiated, indictments and convictions.

To report suspicious activity or instances of child sexual exploitation, contact your local law enforcement agency. Tips can be submitted online here, by phone at 866-DHS-2-ICE or by contacting your local Homeland Security Investigations office. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-THE-LOST or online here.