Shelter Dog Becomes Rare Porn-Sniffing K9

BRADENTON, FL — Gia might not look like the other four-legged deputies in the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office’s K9 unit, but looks aren’t everything.

As the agency’s newest electronics-sniffing K9, it’s Gia’s job to find computer equipment and components hidden from view. The job is one sheriff’s office spokesman Dave Bristow said Gia has taken to quite well and it’s an important one at that.

The shepherd mix has been extensively trained to sniff out electronic devices hidden from plain view. That ability, Bristow said, is one that can prove extremely important on a wide variety of cases, including pornography and child exploitation.

That rare skill proved vital in the 2015 arrest of former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle. In that case, a black lab named Bear managed to sniff out a thumb drive with evidence in Fogle's Indiana home. That drive had been missed by humans who searched the home, NBC reported at the time. Bear's success in that case catapulted K9 with the ability to sniff out electronic devices into the national spotlight. It also earned the specially trained dogs the nickname "porn-sniffing" K9s.

While Gia hasn't worked a high-profile case like Fogle's just yet, “She does a great job,” Bristow said of the plucky pooch. “She’s just now up to speed. (We’re) ready to turn her loose on search warrants.”

Boasting a medium build and extra perky ears, Gia is most certainly set apart from her K9 unit companions by her appearance and her unique specialty. Those aren’t the only things, however, that make Gia different from other dogs in sheriff’s office’s pack. Gia also happens to be a rescue. She was adopted from Bradenton’s Bishop Animal Shelter by the sheriff’s office with the specific intention of finding out if a mixed-breed rescue dog in need of a home could be trained to perform police work.

Law enforcement canines can cost upward of $15,000 to purchase and train, Bristow explained. With that in mind, Lt. Dennis “Richie” Cunningham decided to run an experiment of sorts. Cunningham, who oversees the agency’s K9 unit, said “Let’s go see if we can find a dog that meets the criteria,” Bristow said.

Gia did.

Cunningham personally trained Gia. She has worked one case so far and has been teamed up with human Deputy Joni Zimmerman on a permanent basis. The pooch can sniff out computers, thumb drives, SD cards, hard drives and even cellphones that might be hidden from view during a search.

The success Gia has shown with training and on her one case so far has thrilled the sheriff’s office, Bristow said. Not only does the agency have a dog capable of finding critical evidence humans might pass by, but the little shelter pooch now also has a permanent home.

“It’s a win-win,” Bristow said. “We’re thrilled (with Gia) and we’re thrilled with the relationship with Bishop.”

The nonprofit animal shelter, which is associated with the SPCA, is also rather pleased with Gia’s success story.

“It’s wonderful when two organizations can work together for the greater good of the community,” Samantha Dominis, Bishop Animal Shelter spokeswoman, said.

Electronic-sniffing canines are a rare commodity in the United States. USA Today reported in August 2015 that there were only five dogs in the entire country trained to find hidden electronics. One of those dogs at the time was Bear.

By the numbers, Gia is most certainly in an elite pack. That standing, however, hasn’t gone to her head.

“She’s a sweet dog,” Bristow said.

As for just how Gia was trained to do her job and what scent in particular leads her to her finds, Bristow is staying tight-lipped. Not wanting to tip their proverbial hat to the bad guys, so to say, Bristow said the sheriff’s office is “trying to be rather discreet on that.”

Bad guys – and gals – be warned: Gia is officially on the job.

To find out more about the Bishop Animal Shelter, visit it online.

Photo courtesy of the Bishop Animal Shelter/Video courtesy of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office