Seattle pit bull sniffs out narcotics and explosives at ferry lines

Neville the pit bull has a job at the ferry lines in Seattle. He works at Seattle's Coleman Dock sniffing for narcotics, weapons and explosives.

Pit bulls, who still have a bad reputation, are really very affectionate and sweet dogs, and Neville is one of them.

Previously held on death row in Canada, Neville ended up across the border in the K-9 work force. Today, for a dog that was almost euthanized, he's as loving as a dog can be.

"He's the kind of dog who would take a bullet for you," said Neville's handler, Trooper David Dixon.

"He's so sweet." said Diana Cameron, who works at the espresso stand on the dock. I love it when you pet him and he just smashes up against you. You feel the love."

Neville was the first pit bull to sniff out explosives for the Washington State Patrol, which now has five pit bulls working narcotics or explosives. The success of these dogs has helped reverse the reputation of a breed known more to be fighters than crime fighters.

According to Trooper Dixon, it's not about the breed as much as it is about a dog's sniffing abilities and disposition. Neville has an expert nose that assists in the fight against any narcotics or explosives that arrive at the ferry dock. He also picks up on the characteristics of a dedicated officer and helps them do their job.

Trooper Dixon estimates that Neville does detection work on 150,000 vehicles a year.

After five years of service and exposing over 20 weapons or explosives, Neville is going to retire this September. He will stay with Trooper Dixon after his retirement.