10:42 AM CST on Wednesday, February 16, 2005

By KATHRYN YEGGE / The Dallas Morning News

GRAPEVINE – Matthew Porter and two friends were playing disc golf at a Grapevine park on Valentine's Day when a police officer approached.

Investigating a strange smell, Officer Cris Brichetto asked the trio for identification.

That's when J.D., Mr. Porter's black Labrador retriever, played a game of fetch his owner won't soon forget. The pooch waded into a nearby creek, retrieved a plastic baggie and brought it to Officer Brichetto.

So much for man's best friend.

Euless resident Micah Hays, 24, was arrested and charged with marijuana possession. Mr. Porter, a 25-year-old Richland Hills resident, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

"It's been kind of a running joke with this whole thing," said Grapevine police Sgt. Todd Dearing. "People have been asking us if we're going to recruit the dog for police work."

The group's third member was not charged and was given custody of J.D.

E-mail kyegge@dallasnews.com