The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has a new deputy dog, a K-9 named Birdie who is trained to sniff out flash drives, cellphones and similar devices which may contain evidence of a crime.
Birdie is the agency’s first electronic storage detection K-9 and will work alongside Detective Corporal Mark Moy in the Digital Forensics Unit, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. Birdie and Moy have undergone extensive training.
Birdie is a black Labrador retriever born Nov. 24, 2022. The dog was purchased from Jordan Detection K-9 through a federal grant.
“We’re excited to welcome K-9 Birdie, who will be an incredible asset for our Digital Forensics Unit,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Electronic storage detection K-9s have become valuable tools used by law enforcement to find the evidence criminals may be hiding. Often these criminals may be exploiting children or involved in human trafficking. These dirt bags will soon learn they cannot hide electronic evidence of their crimes from Birdie or FCSO.”
