O.U.R. K9 UPDATE: 41 ARRESTS, 13 CHILDREN IDENTIFIED

• HOW DO K9S SNIFF OUT CHILD PREDATORS?

• HOW IS O.U.R. INVOLVED?

• K9 RESCUE UPDATES JUNE – SEPTEMBER 

• K9 HANDLER TESTIFIES ABOUT DOG’S SKILLS 

• K9 SPOTLIGHT: SOTA 

• K9S ALSO PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO CHILDREN DURING DIFFICULT INTERVIEWS

• DONATE TO OUR K9 PROGRAM

How do K9s sniff out child predators?

O.U.R. empowers and supports law enforcement across the United States with the tools, technology and training they need to more effectively combat child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in their jurisdictions. One way we do this is by sponsoring Electronic Storage Device (ESD) detection canines – dogs that sniff out evidence to help prosecute child predators. 

This program entails O.U.R. partnering with a premier K9 trainer who saves Labrador Retrievers who would otherwise be euthanized. These special pups are then trained to recognize the unique chemical scent of electronic storage devices, such as thumb drives, hard drives, SIM cards, etc.

These devices are routinely hidden by child predators in an attempt to hide sexually abusive and exploitative images of children from significant others and law enforcement.

Such small devices are easily hidden and difficult to locate when law enforcement search warrants are executed. These dogs quickly sniff out evidence that a human investigator alone would need much longer to find, if even found at all. 

How is O.U.R. involved? 

To date, O.U.R. has sponsored 15 dogs across 12 U.S. states. We are incredibly grateful for our partners at doTERRA for sponsoring K9 Siri, Spike, Frankie, and Dug. We also want to thank ASEA for sponsoring K9 Champ, Banner, and Alf. 

Our amazing community volunteer teams recently raised funds to fully cover custom-fit bulletproof vests and First Aid kits for four of our K9s. These amazing dogs are suited up and ready to go on their next search warrant! 

Members of the O.U.R. Team recently attended the training graduation of two new K9s, Marshall and Chewie. They were able to meet their handlers and present these new vests and first aid kits. 

K9 RESCUE UPDATES JUNE – SEPTEMBER 

From June to September 2020, these K9s have found evidence to assist in the arrests of 41 predators and the identification of 13 young survivors. 

K9 HANDLER TESTIFIES ABOUT DOG’S SKILLS

K9 Siri’s handler, Deputy Blay, recently testified in court about the unique skills that these dogs have and how they significantly enhance law enforcement capabilities. She added, “I believe it was the first time one of us has had to testify about the electronic detection K9s – I was so blessed that I was able to bring closure to that family thanks to the contributions of O.U.R. and doTERRA.”

K9 SPOTLIGHT: SOTA 

This summer, O.U.R.-sponsored K9 Sota officially joined the investigations team at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. “Because of [O.U.R.’s] generosity, the BCA only has to cover Sota’s food, kennel and vehicle equipment,” the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s blog states. 

K9S ALSO PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO CHILDREN DURING DIFFICULT INTERVIEWS

Another benefit of using such dogs is the calming affect a dog can have on a child right after their rescue. These pups are often present during child forensic interviews to calm a child and support them throughout the interview. 

In addition to assisting in search warrants three times a week by several law enforcement agencies in Iowa, K9 Mousse also stays at the Child Protection Center during victim interviews. 

DONATE TO OUR K9 PROGRAM TODAY

Many supporters want to specifically donate to our K9 program. Click here for more information!