Sniffer dogs
The police are allowed to use sniffer dogs (without a warrant) to detect illegal drugs in the following public places:
- Inside or outside of pubs, clubs, bottle shops and other places where alcohol is sold or served, but not a restaurant;
- Inside or outside of a sporting event, or artistic performances such as concerts, dance parties and parades;
- Inside or outside of a train, light rail vehicle, or bus; and
- A station, platform, or stopping place for trains, light rail vehicles and buses.
Police can also use sniffer dogs to search people who they reasonably suspect of committing drug offences and in some states they can use them to assist with the general conduct of their duties.
However police cannot use sniffer dogs to conduct general or random searches for illegal drugs in public places UNLESS they have a reasonable suspicion about a particular person(s) or a warrant.
Police must take all reasonable precautions to prevent sniffer dogs from harming or touching the people they search.
Thanks to the team at Lawstuff for developing this fact sheet.
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