In Memory of Daisy: The Sniffer Dog Who Solved Over 40 Crimes

In Karnataka, Head Constable Kumar never questioned the necessity of a sniffer dog on the force. For six years, he handled Daisy, a Dobermann renowned as ‘Crime Cracker’ for her impressive service with the Karnataka Police. Over her seven-year career, Daisy assisted in solving eight murder cases, 15 house thefts, and 20 other crimes.

One memorable case from 2013 showcased Daisy's skills. In the tranquil village of Bannur Kudige, the peace was shattered by the murder of Chinnegowda, a local farmer. The body was discovered by his brother the next morning near a pumphouse. With several suspects but no evidence, the police called in the forensic team and dog squad.

Daisy, then a two-year-old Dobermann, was brought to the crime scene. Sniffing a towel found at the scene, she quickly led the team on a 1.5 km run, stopping at a house where she discovered blood-stained clothes and a sickle in the bathroom. This evidence linked the crime to Umesh, Chinnegowda’s friend, who later confessed to the murder during police questioning.

The police revealed that Umesh killed Chinnegowda after he teased Umesh’s sister. Daisy’s ability to trace the evidence played a crucial role in solving the case, leading to Umesh's life imprisonment sentence in 2015.

Daisy’s prowess was acknowledged in court, with the judge emphasizing the importance of circumstantial evidence provided by her work. Daisy’s handler, Kumar, testified about her registration and tracking abilities, noting that environmental conditions can impact a dog’s accuracy.

After seven years of service and inspecting over 105 crime scenes, Daisy passed away in November 2018 due to cancer. Her contributions included assisting in tracking Naxals in Chikkamagaluru forests. The district police honored her with a guard of honor, firing three rounds in the air as a tribute. Kumar chose not to train or handle another sniffer dog after Daisy’s demise, marking the end of an extraordinary partnership.