How Jesse the Sniffer Dog Helped Crack Murders and Rescue a Kidnapped Child
In the bustling streets of Mumbai, amidst the chaos of traffic, festivals, and crime, an unlikely hero has been quietly earning her stripes—Jesse, a German Shepherd and a standout member of the Mumbai Police’s K9 squad. With a nose for justice and unmatched loyalty, Jesse has played a crucial role in solving high-profile cases involving murder, robbery, and kidnapping over the past four years.
The Mumbai Police recently took to social media platform X to spotlight Jesse’s achievements. In a heartfelt video, her handler, Woman Police Constable Surekha Bhanudas Lunde, detailed the canine’s fearless contributions to the force. “Ever imagined what a furry officer can do? Track a murderer and bank robber from a single shoe. Expose a suspect disguised in a saree. Rescue a missing child by tracing a taxi through a festive crowd. Meet Jesse who has cracked all of the above,” read the text overlay in the video.
Accompanied by clips of Jesse in action, the video described her as a “‘furmidable’ partner”—a clever pun on her fearless service. “Sniffing out danger & chasing truths is what they do best,” wrote the Mumbai Police. And Jesse has certainly lived up to that.
One of her most notable achievements took place during a murder and robbery case under the jurisdiction of MHB Police Station. A single piece of footwear left behind at the crime scene became the key. “We gave the footwear to Jesse to sniff. She followed the scent through a busy marketplace and navigated narrow lanes,” said Constable Lunde. Jesse tracked the suspect across nearly 5 kilometres, eventually stopping outside a room in a chawl, barking to alert the officers. Inside, the suspect was found hiding and was immediately taken into custody.
In another high-pressure incident during Ganpati Visarjan—a time when Mumbai is overflowing with crowds and celebration—Jesse once again demonstrated her incredible skills. A child had been kidnapped, and despite the overwhelming noise and foot traffic, Jesse managed to trace the scent. She led officers to a location where the accused had taken a taxi. “We checked the CCTV footage and confirmed the suspect’s presence. He was later arrested,” said Lunde.
Jesse’s talents have also helped identify suspects in disguise. In one remarkable case, she exposed a criminal attempting to flee by dressing in a saree. Her instincts and training helped police see through the ruse.
The video closed with a tribute to the city’s canine officers, declaring: “Unmatched loyalty, razor-sharp instincts. Our K9 squad unleash furtastic tales of investigation every single day.”
Beyond Jesse’s individual achievements, the Mumbai Police are working to better support their canine heroes. Earlier this year, they announced plans to build a Rs 10 crore state-of-the-art kennel complex at the Marol Police Training Centre in Andheri East. The facility will not only accommodate active service dogs but, for the first time, also provide care for retired ones. As of now, the Mumbai Police K9 unit includes 33 dogs—ranging from German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois to Labradors and Dobermans—deployed in units such as Anti-Narcotics, Bomb Detection and Disposal, and VIP Security.
Jesse’s story is more than a testament to one dog’s courage—it highlights the essential and often overlooked role that working dogs play in law enforcement. With sharp instincts and an unbreakable bond with their handlers, these canine officers are vital in maintaining law and order in a city as dynamic and complex as Mumbai.
Jesse may not wear a badge, but her nose, determination, and loyalty have made her a true asset to the Mumbai Police force—one paw at a time.
