He’s named after the iconic video game character known for chomping dots and battling ghosts: Pacman. An unusual name for a dog, sure.
But this yellow Labrador is living up to his name -- eating up crime in Clayton County by finding drugs and cash. Tons of it, according to District Attorney Tracy Lawson.
“He’s just this big, adorable, big-headed yellow Lab,” Lawson said. “He’s got a gigantic head.”
Pacman’s tail wags constantly and he’s friendly, without the fierceness expected from most police dogs.
“He looks like he’s smiling at you,” Lawson said.
But as the only drug dog employed by a metro-area district attorney’s office, Pacman has wasted no time getting the job done.
In five years, he’s helped investigators seize more than two tons of marijuana, approximately 50 kilos of cocaine, along with meth and heroin. Thanks to Pacman, a couple million dollars of cash and property linked to drug deals have been seized, Lawson said.
“He’s a superstar,” Lawson said.
EXCLUSIVE: Sign up for the AJC's Crime & Safety newsletter
NEW: Join the discussion at the AJC’s Crime & Safety Facebook group
Although many police agencies have four-legged officers, it’s not common for district attorney’s to have dogs on staff. But since her jurisdiction includes Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International airport, having a drug-sniffing pup just made sense, Lawson said.
Credit: Clayton County
Credit: Clayton County
On his first day of work, Pacman hit the ground running, seizing more than $100,000 in cash, Lawson said. Money seized by Pacman has more than covered the costs associated with having a drug dog, including a specially-equipped vehicle and training. Last weekend, Pacman seized more than $7,000 in would-be drug deal proceeds, Lawson said.
RELATED: Sandy Springs K-9 recovers from brass-knuckles attack
ALSO: Police dog wins suit filed by burglar he bit
Plus, the district attorney has been able to purchase bullet-proof vests and guns for investigators and fund additional training. When Lawson visits schools, Pacman gets to come, too.
“He’s a great dog,” Lawson said. “He’s a great asset to the county to get the drugs off the street, which keeps the county safer.”
Know what's really going on with crime and public safety in your metro Atlanta community, including breaking news, trial coverage, trends and the latest on unsolved cases. Sign up for the AJC's crime and safety newsletter delivered weekly to your inbox.
In other news:
About the Author
