This site contains more than many people would care to know about the methods, reasoning and execution of canine searches of person, property, et al.
http://www.k9fleck.org/narlegal.htm
Specifically,
Thanks,CANINE APPLICATION TO SEARCH AND SEIZURE:
SUMMARY:
A canine sniff of property is not a search.
A) United States v Place (462 U.S. 696 (1983) U. S. Supreme Court
Exposure of traveler's luggage, which was located in a public place, to a trained narcotics detection dog for sniffing purposes did not constitute a "search" for Fourth Amendment purposes.
The canine sniff discloses only the presence or absence of narcotics, a contraband item.
The canine sniff does not expose noncontraband items that otherwise would remain hidden from public view.
B) Illinois v Caballes (125 S. Ct. 834 (2005) U.S. Supreme Court
Dog sniff conducted during a lawful traffic stop, that reveals no information other than location of contraband that no individual has any right to possess, does not violate the Fourth Amendment.
Use of a well trained narcotics detection dog, one that does not expose noncontraband items that otherwise would remain hidden from public view, during lawful traffic stop does not violate the Fourth Amendment.
Where lawful traffic stop was not extended beyond time necessary to issue warning ticket and to conduct ordinary inquiries incident to such a stop, another officer’s arrival at scene while stop was in progress and use of narcotics detection dog to sniff around the exterior of motorist’s vehicle does not have to be supported by some reasonable, articulable suspicion.
Joe
