This, being a true story, leaves little doubt about the remarkable ability the dog has to separate scents. It is perhaps even more baffling when we consider the fact they also omit, separate, identify and indicate on the move and instantly. The story is that a woman was missing and the police, two officers in particular, suspected foul play. They also thought the husband might have had something to do with it. They approached him at the family home. They talked to him and asked if he minded if they had a look around. He consented. Upon entering the basement area they immediately smelled fresh paint. They noticed the floor had been started to be painted. All along the walls, furnace and such had been bordered in paint. On the floor was a roller full of paint setting in a tray of fresh paint. When asked the husband said he was painting the floor as he was going to sell the house. The officers knew they had to act on a hunch that there was more to this new paint job. The police knew of a handler and dog team that was highly successful at recovery of cadaver scent. They contacted them and they agreed to search the basement. On entry the dog immediately indicated on the steps, then a mop and wash pail,then the fresh paint both on the floor and the roller. Forensic investigation revealed what the dog knew all along, tiny microscopic blood traces in the paint and the mop and on the steps. The fumes were of no distraction to this dog and handler. This also proves that there is no such thing as contamination of scent. The breed used was, believe it or not, a Doberman.

©Mike McConnery-Baden K-9 05/06/02
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