Buzz
Every day, police K-9 units bring their dogs to crime scenes to sniff out drugs, explosives, and even dead bodies. One of the many reasons people adore dogs is the sense of safety they bring, knowing their furry companions will protect them in times of danger.
Though we are aware of the countless courageous dogs serving worldwide, we rarely hear the tales of how they actively fight crime. The following 10 dogs are exceptional heroes.
10. Puskas The Fearless
In February 2018, a helicopter tracked a high-speed car chase in Santa Ana, California, where 37-year-old Antonio Padilla Jr., a fugitive wanted for assaulting a police officer, swerved through traffic. After crashing into multiple cars, driving on the shoulder, and carjacking several vehicles to evade the police, he was relentlessly pursued by officers on his trail.
He was driving at such high speed that he crashed into the curb of a business complex. When the police arrived, his only option was to flee on foot. An eight-year-old Dutch Shepherd named Puskas jumped out of the police car and immediately chased after Padilla, bringing him down with a swift tackle.
During the confrontation, six of Puskas’s teeth were knocked loose. However, he managed to give the officers enough time to close in and capture Padilla. Puskas was quickly taken to a veterinary clinic to treat his injuries. After his recovery, his handler awarded him a purple heart dog tag for his bravery.
9. A Night at the Museum
In October 2010, a police officer and his dog were conducting a routine patrol around the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, Oregon. The officer was startled when his dog suddenly barked and lunged at the ground. Then, to his shock, the ground screamed.
It turned out that a man was lying on the ground in a ghillie suit, which helped him blend seamlessly into the surrounding plants. While it may have fooled the officer, “Moss Man” (as he was later nicknamed by the media) didn’t stand a chance against a trained canine.
Inside the museum, there were valuable treasures like gold nuggets and other precious minerals. Police believe that Gregory Liascos, the man in the ghillie suit, was attempting to rob the museum under the cover of night. He was charged with criminal mischief and burglary.
Later on, museum staff discovered a hole in the wall of the men’s bathroom. Liascos had previously visited the museum as a guest, making the hole to access the exterior. His plan was to return later, disguised in the ghillie suit, and sneak in.
8. The Dog of Podgorica
In Podgorica, Montenegro, a woman was walking down the street when she passed a stray dog. A mugger, wearing a bright yellow hoodie, suddenly approached from behind and shoved her to the ground. He attempted to steal her purse and shopping bags.
Although the dog didn’t know the woman, it instinctively recognized that she was in danger. The dog barked loudly and jumped at the criminal, biting his legs and backside. The criminal quickly turned and fled, with the dog hot on his heels. The woman was unharmed, and she watched the whole scene unfold in disbelief.
7. Uncovering Crime with a Nose
In October 2017, a police officer in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, stopped a car during a routine traffic check. The car's front windows were illegally tinted, making it impossible to see inside. The three men in the vehicle appeared nervous and began offering bizarre, contradictory stories to the officer.
Suspicious, the officer allowed his dog to sniff the car. Sure enough, the dog detected the scent of drugs. Upon searching, police discovered 6 kilograms (13 lb) of raw heroin hidden beneath the back seat. The drugs contained 400,000 individual doses, worth $4 million—marking the largest drug bust in the town's history, all thanks to the dog’s extraordinary sense of smell.
6. Buddy Balu, the Brave Police Dog
Balu, a German Shepherd, had a remarkable eight-year career as a police dog. He was instrumental in finding $1 million worth of cocaine during a major bust and pursued fugitives who attempted to escape from the law.
In February 2018, Balu was back at it in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Deputy Josh Gregory, who had worked with Balu for four years, recalled a harrowing drug bust where the dealers opened fire on Gregory and Balu, hitting their police cruiser with bullets. To protect his loyal partner, Deputy Gregory leapt on top of Balu, shielding him from the gunfire.
Realizing that Balu had faced enough danger, Gregory decided it was time for him to retire. Now, Balu enjoys life as a pet in Gregory’s home, where he looks after the deputy’s young daughter. When asked about his dog's retirement, Gregory joked, “He’s going to be mad when he doesn’t get to go to work on Monday.”
5. The Fearless King Rex
On February 21, 2018, 16-year-old Javier Mercado found himself home alone after school in his bedroom in Des Moines, Washington. He heard the sound of glass breaking downstairs, realizing someone was breaking into his house. In a panic, he hid in the closet, bringing his German Shepherd, Rex, along for safety.
The brave dog pushed his way out of the closet, charging downstairs to confront the burglars. Mercado quickly dialed 911. The intruders reacted by viciously beating Rex, but the dog managed to make his way back upstairs, ensuring that Mercado was unharmed.
Sadly, the criminals followed Rex upstairs to the bedroom, where the dog faced true danger. In a heroic move, Rex lunged at the burglars, biting them. In response, the criminals shot the dog four times. Fortunately, by that point, police sirens could be heard in the distance, and the burglars fled the scene.
The family set up a GoFundMe page to help cover Rex's medical bills, which totaled $10,000. The dog’s story resonated so deeply that the page raised over $62,000 by the time of writing. Rex has since undergone surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
4. Get Him, Shep! The Heroic Chase
Dashcam and body camera footage clearly demonstrate that without police dogs, officers would struggle to catch as many criminals. In February 2018, Deputy Nick Carmack and his loyal K-9, Shep, were in pursuit of two criminals driving a stolen car in Pasco County, Florida. When the suspects heard the sirens, they jumped out of the car and fled on foot. Since Deputy Carmack was alone, he released Shep to chase down the second man, shouting, “Get him, Shep!”
Carmack needed backup, but he managed to tackle one of the men and put him in handcuffs. They followed the sound of Shep's barking down a long, wooded driveway and found the dog struggling with the second man, who was trying to drag Shep and escape.
“Get off my dog, bro!” the officer yelled repeatedly.
The footage shows how easily the second man could have gotten away or even taken the homeowners at the end of the driveway as hostages. Without Shep's timely intervention, the situation could have been far worse.
3. Pit To The Rescue: Baby Girl Saves The Day
Pit bulls may have a poor reputation, but they’re some of the most loyal and protective dogs out there. In February 2018, a young boy named Shane, who was staying home sick in Lincoln, Nebraska, found himself alone in the house. His mom had left to pick up his siblings from school. During that brief window, a masked intruder broke in.
Shane could only see the intruder’s eyes through the mask, which were intensely focused on him. In a panic, Shane tried to flee, but the masked man chased him up the stairs. Desperate, Shane called for his dog, Baby Girl. Without hesitation, the pit bull rushed to the scene and tackled the intruder, biting his legs.
Shane managed to escape to a neighbor’s house and call his mom. The police were contacted as well. Thankfully, the intruder fled without taking anything, though sadly, the police were unable to catch him.
2. Officer Radar: The German Shepherd Who Saved The Day
On December 26, 2017, Robert Stewart committed a heinous crime by mugging and fatally shooting a mother and her son on a street corner in Merrillville, Indiana, around 9:20 PM. Both victims succumbed to their injuries, and a nearby witness immediately called the authorities.
K-9 Officer Stanko Gligic responded to the scene with his partner, Radar, a German Shepherd. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect fleeing toward a nearby residential area. Without hesitation, Radar jumped out of the car and, even through the wet snow, picked up the scent of Stewart, who was hiding inside a shed in a backyard.
Officer Gligic called out for Stewart to drop his weapon and surrender, but there was no reply. Aware of the danger, Gligic hesitated to enter the shed, knowing the suspect was armed and extremely dangerous.
Instead of waiting, Radar charged into the shed, catching the criminal off guard. The dog clamped down on the suspect and dragged him out, allowing Officer Gligic to apprehend him. In recognition of his bravery, Radar was awarded the title of 'Employee of the Month.'
1. Kimo The Porn Hunter
Criminals involved in the downloading, production, and distribution of child pornography are among the most repulsive individuals in society. Unlike violent offenders or drug traffickers, they are often harder to detect as they blend into normal life, concealing their nefarious activities. Even when law enforcement receives witness accounts regarding such crimes, securing a conviction can be difficult without physical evidence.
Fortunately, specially trained police dogs can help track down these criminals. One such dog, Kimo, a golden retriever from Blair County, Pennsylvania, has been trained to detect the scent of electronics, an essential skill in identifying and stopping child pornography perpetrators.
Those involved in child pornography often go to great lengths to hide their digital evidence, stashing flash drives and SD cards in inconspicuous places such as inside fake Pringles cans or behind power outlets. Kimo’s remarkable sense of smell has led to the discovery of crucial evidence, helping to incarcerate offenders and prevent further harm.
