Ohio cops enlist dog named Reptar to find child porn
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio's investigative agency has added a new weapon in fight against child pornography and exploitation -- a Labrador retriever named Reptar that can sniff out hidden electronic devices.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation says 22-month-old Reptar's specialized training allows him to detect chemical traces in electronic devices like computers, cell phones and USB storage devices.
He's been assigned to BCI's Crimes Against Children Unit. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said Friday that Reptar was also trained as a comfort dog.
#Reptar is trained to pick up the scent when he finds chemicals in these storage items. His nose is about 40 times more sensitive than ours. pic.twitter.com/hiN6SyAjAx
— Ohio AG Mike DeWine (@OhioAG) October 6, 2017
Agents say Reptar used his nose to find a memory card in the false bottom of a drawer and a flash drive hidden behind a stereo during a search in a recent child pornography investigation.
The agency says there's one other dog with Reptar's capabilities in Ohio and about 50 in the world.
A grant covered the $11,000 cost to buy and train Reptar.