WATERBORNE PATROL DOG SNIFFS OUT DRUGS ON THE LAKE OF THE OZARK

LAKE OZARK, Mo. -- A friendly, 40-pound canine is helping the Missouri
Water Patrol sniff out and stop drug activity on the Lake of the Ozarks.

The English spaniel, named Rikky, and Water Patrolman Eric Smith hit the
water in late April and have had more business since the start of the
summer boating season.

"So far we've done about nine searches with Rikky," Smith said recently.
"Three of those searches have resulted in charges."

While larger dogs like German shepherds are often used in drug searches,
Smith picked a spaniel in the belief that a friendly breed would make his
efforts more productive.

And, he said, his hunch has been borne out as boat owners grant permission
for Rikky to come aboard.

"That's one reason we wanted a passive dog rather than an aggressive one,"
Smith said. "So far, people have been very receptive to him."

Once consent is given, Rikky scampers aboard. He is certified to detect
marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and ecstasy in amounts as small
as two grams.

True to the nature of pointer dogs, Rikky doesn't scratch or claw at a spot
where he detects something. Instead, he sits and stares at the spot.

The team's first arrest took place in Party Cove, a section of the
sprawling lake where masses of boats gather.

"It was a normal boat stop and it appeared as though dope was being passed
around for different people on the vessel to smoke," Smith said. After the
occupants consented to let Rikky snoop around, the dog turned out marijuana
and two marijuana cigarettes.

Rikky also works on land. On June 12, according to a Camdenton Police
Department report, a passenger in a speeding car being pursued by police
tossed a large plastic bag into a ditch. Smith was nearby and sent Rikky
into the brush to find the discarded bag.

"In just a few minutes Rikky alerted on the bag, full of pot," Smith said.

So far, the team's work has been privately funded. An unnamed corporation
and various lake-area crime watch groups have helped defray the initial
$10,000 start-up cost.

The annual expense of veterinary bills, food and miscellaneous equipment is
about $800 per year. Purina Foods of St. Louis supplies Rikky's food and
veterinarian Eric Tiche volunteers medical services.

"The Coast Guard Auxiliary bought him a life jacket," Smith said. "The
Morgan County Sheriff's Department is supplying us with one of their extra
pagers for when we're on call. This is really turning into a lakewide
community effort."