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Big paws to fill: Electronic scent detection dog retires from Internet Crimes Against Children unit
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After six years on the job, it’s time for K9 Joey to learn how to be a regular dog. That includes learning how to eat out of a bowl.
Special Agent Joey, a Labrador who was employed with the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit at the New Mexico Department of Justice, retired on Monday from his job as an electronic scent detection (ESD) K9. He helped the department sniff out phones and other digital devices.
Food is an important part of that, said Joey’s handler Owen Peña. Labradors and retrievers have a strong food drive, Peña said, which makes them well-suited to ESD work. Because Joey had to move from scene to scene, Peña exclusively fed him by hand as a reward for his work.
“They have to work to eat on a daily basis,” Peña said.
Joey was at the top of his class, ranking 13th out of more than 150 dogs around the country. A precocious pup, Joey started at the unit in 2018 at just 2 years old.
“From the start, he was a force to be reckoned with in his pursuit of justice,” Peña said.
He’s been a “steadfast partner and friend” since, Peña said at the retirement party in Albuquerque. Now 8, Joey was awarded for his labors with a plaque and a bone-shaped cake, which sent the special agent into a wriggling frenzy as he tried to snag fallen chopped nuts.
ESD K9s can typically work until they are around 10 years old, said Department of Justice director of communications Lauren Rodriguez. Joey is slowing down, Rodriguez said, “so his retirement is coming at just the right time.”
Joey, whose muzzle is now grizzled, cried at the retirement party, whining until Peña gave him an encouraging scratch. Peña, at times, also seemed overcome with emotion as his partner was honored.
Joey’s powerful nose makes light work of crime scenes that could take his human coworkers hours to comb through. He’s trained to detect triphenylphosphine oxide, TPPO, a chemical used in the manufacture of SIM cards and other electronic storage components.
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That came in handy when the unit was searching a hoarder house. Joey was “instrumental” in detecting hidden cellphones with illegal content, Peña said.
Joey also helped comfort children while on duty. Other staff members lauded Joey’s ability to keep things light as members grappled with the intense work of the unit with a smile and wagging tail.
“His presence really helps to ease the psychological and emotional burden,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “He’s much more than just an electronic scent detection dog. He’s a member of this team.”
Retirement for Joey will include swimming in Peña’s pool and more time with “mom” — Peña’s wife.
Two new electronic scent detection dogs, Special Agent Nyx and Special Agent Gadget, joined the team on Monday, although they have big paws to fill.
