An RCMP police service dog helped DFO officials locate a hidden stash of poached lobster, resulting in charges against a Stephenville Crossing man.

RCMP received a call for assistance late Thursday evening from DFO who reported seeing a man poaching lobster.

DFO officers tried to stop the man but police say he fled the scene on an ATV. He returned later on and was arrested by fisheries officers, but had discarded the evidence.

That’s when police service dog Axel was called in. The dog sniffed out the stash of more than a dozen undersized lobsters, hidden in a bag in the woods.

The creatures were eventually returned to the water alive.

The accused is facing charges of flight from police, obstruction of a fisheries official, possession of undersized lobster, and fishing without authorization.

His ATV was seized and impounded.

He’s set to appear in court on the charges at a later date.