Australian Sniffer Dogs Branded Inspector's Gadgets

An Australian judge last week ruled that police using sniffer dogs to detect concealed drugs on people passing by, didn't constitute assault or a search.

Justice Barry O'Keefe instead decided the dog's enhanced sense of smell was equivalent to the enhanced vision a torch would offer and could be "|ikened to an extension of the nose of a police officer" (Sydney Morning Herald).

The Justice made his ruling in the case of a 22 year old citizen who was charged with possession of drugs after police dog Rocky sniffed his groin in a random search on the street (3D World).
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