Hansel's life could have ended before it really began.

Seized as a puppy from an alleged dog-fighting operation in Ontario, Hansel became one of a group of pit bulls caught in a years-long fight over whether they could—or should—be saved. But when rescuers were finally given the chance to find out who these dogs really were, Hansel showed them something nobody expected.

His second chance would take him from Canada to Florida, then to New Jersey, where an unusual partnership, an extraordinary nose, and one very determined pit bull would help investigators connect a series of warehouse fires and lead to arrests .

This week, Paula is joined by Monica for the story of Hansel, the fire department K9 who went from facing an uncertain future to helping solve real crimes—and changing minds about pit bulls along the way.

And stay with us through the end of the episode, when we talk about an important effort that could change the way animal abuse follows offenders—and give the rest of us another tool to help protect animals.

Sources

• Daily Paws — Austin Cannon, “Hansel the Pit Bull Barely Escaped Euthanasia. Now, He's Investigating Arson Cases With His Partner,” October 19, 2021.
• Daily Paws Presents: Warm Fuzzies — “Hansel: The Crime-Solving Arson Dog,” interview with Millville Fire Marshal Tyler Van Leer, November 16, 2023. This was our primary source for Hansel's training, his partnership with Van Leer, and the warehouse arson investigation.
• Lower Bucks Times — June Portnoy, “Huntingdon Valley resident turns ‘Throwaway’ dogs into a national mission,” January 21, 2026. Background on Carol Skaziak and the Throw Away Dogs Project.
• CBC News — “From fighting ring to police dogs: Rescued CK pit bulls launch new lives,” January 24, 2020.
• The Canadian Press / CTV News — “Court battle brewing to save dogs seized in alleged fighting ring,” February 21, 2016.
• The Chatham Voice — reporting on the October 2015 Morris Line raid, the 31 pit bull-type dogs seized, and the criminal charges that followed.
• CBC News — reporting on the legal fight and agreement that ultimately allowed the surviving dogs to leave Ontario for rehabilitation.
• AM800 News — “Multiple Charges Dropped In Alleged Dog Fighting Case,” February 16, 2017.
• Ontario Dog Owners' Liability Act / Ontario government materials — background on Ontario's breed-specific restrictions involving pit bulls.
• Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal — “A Critical Review of Canines Used to Detect Accelerants Within an Arson Crime Scene.” Used for background on ignitable-liquid detection dogs, canine alerts, handler influence, and the need for laboratory confirmation.
• American Humane — 2021 Hero Dog Awards information on Hansel, the Law Enforcement and Detection Hero Dog of the Year, and Boone, the 2021 overall American Hero Dog.

Organizations & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Throw Away Dogs Project
• Stand Up for Pits Foundation
• Paw Watch Registry

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Music by Vibe Depot and Mircea Iancu