Sniffer dog Krowbar and his AFP handler Daniel Neit. Photo: James Coleman.
For six years, Krowbar has been sniffing out crime and danger at high-profile places like the Canberra Airport and Parliament House – but no longer.
The black Labrador from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Canine Unit officially retired this week, and can look forward to living out the rest of his days kicking up on the couch alongside his doting handler, Senior Leading Constable Daniel Neit.
“From day one, Krowbar and I had quite a significant bond – we worked well together,” he says.
“So Krowbar will retire with me, back to my property in Wamboin, where we get to lie around the couch and just enjoy the freedom of not having to come to work every day.”
The AFP has the largest team of explosive detection dogs (EDD) in the Southern Hemisphere, along with other canines trained to detect firearms, cash, drugs or technology devices.
All up, there are 91 in operation, and in 2024 alone, these dogs attended more than 70 search warrant executions in 2024.
“The AFP’s canines are on the frontline with AFP members and have been instrumental in identifying evidence that has led to the conviction of a number of offenders,” AFP Assistant Commissioner, Specialist Protective Command Alison Wegg says.
“Dogs conducting detection work sniff between five and 10 times a second. Their smell processing capacity is 40 times stronger than humans, and studies have shown they can find a scent as faint as one part per million.”
Labradors are predominantly used for detection work, but other breeds help with the team for different canine disciplines. Each puppy starts training from 10 weeks of age.
On average, the dogs will have a working life of around 6 years.
An organisation called Ninja’s Trust – named for a German Shepherd who retired from AFP service in 2021 and died two years later – aims to “advocate for, defend, honour and help to heal retired police dogs across Australia”.
Krowbar had one final job this week. Photo: James Coleman.
“These highly intelligent and well-trained dogs work throughout their lives, but by the age of seven or eight, they are ready to retire and are typically adopted by their handlers or other service members,” Ninja’s Trust’s Renata Hickson writes on the organisation’s GoFundMe page.
“Retired police dogs do not receive financial support or a pension in their retirement, meaning the responsibility for their care and vet bills falls solely to their handler or new owner.
“Ninja’s Trust will work to ensure the best possible treatment and conditions for police service dogs in their retirement. We will champion the rights of these dedicated dogs, and lobby for their recognition and fair treatment as valued sworn members of the nation’s police forces.”
