Not your average K-9: Mouse joins King County with rare skill

King County has a new K-9, and he’s not your typical drug or bomb-sniffing dog.

Mouse, a two-year-old golden retriever/yellow lab mix, joined the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) with a certification in electronics storage detection and as a service dog.

Detectives told KIRO 7 he’ll be used to solve child pornography cases.

King County K-9 Mouse 1 of only 4 dogs in WA

Mouse is one of four dogs in the state trained to sniff out computers, cell phones, microSD cards, listening devices, hidden cameras, and other devices, according to KCSO.

He is also trained to help distressed victims and witnesses during investigations.

Although he mainly sniffs in King County, Mouse has also assisted in cases in Pierce and Snohomish counties.

“Mouse works in the Special Assault Unit but is available to help deputies and citizens around the county,” KCSO wrote on its website.

The King County detective paired with Mouse told KIRO 7 that Mouse will likely work on more than 100 cases a year, as child sex abuse rises.

“Since having him, it’s hard not to go back and think, ‘Oh gosh, what could we have missed without him,'” she told the media outlet.

Mouse is currently the only dog on his team, but KCSO is hopeful to have more soon.

Contributing: KIRO 7

Follow Julia Dallas on X. Read her stories here. Submit news tips here.