Rusik was the first[1] Russian police sniffer cat in Stavropol, a city near the Caspian Sea. He made an important contribution in the search for hidden illegal cargoes of Sturgeon fish, an endangered species, and caviar.[2]
Rusik began his sniffing career when he first appeared at a police checkpoint in 2002. Following his adoption by the staff, Rusik demonstrated his ability to sniff out sturgeon-smugglers' stashes with accuracy. His talent for sniffing out poached fish soon found him taking over the job of the police's canine team member.[1]
Rusik died in the line of duty in June 2003,[3] when he was hit by a car during an inspection, immediately after searching a bus.[4] He had apparently found smuggled sturgeon in the same car some time before, according to personnel at the police checkpoint.[1] . Rusik was a tabby with only a year's service at the time of his death.[5]