AN INCREASING number of people searched for drugs but not found to be carrying them after being identified by police sniffer dogs are being charged or cautioned for angry outbursts against police.

The failure of a record 80 per cent of sniffer dog searches this year has also raised questions about the potential for legal challenges against police by people not found to be carrying drugs.

Barking up the wrong tree ... last year 11,248 people were found to not be carrying drugs after being identified by sniffer dogs and searched by police. Credit:Ken Irwin

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