text: A dog belonging to a Brazilian drugs gang has proved that learning to drop and roll is not just for humans. When police in the southern state of Santa Catarina busted the gang's lair, the loyal canine laid down alongside its owner and rolled over on its back. The picture showing the line of gang members and their guard dog surrendering to police has since gone viral in Brazil. The incident happened during a joint police and military operation in the neighbourhood of Vargem Grande, in the south Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Police spokesman Filippo Valdez said: 'The officers had been observing the gang for some time and when they arrested them they recovered a substantial quantity of marijuana and cocaine, as well as weighing scales, guns and ammunition. 'There was a male dog that was barking when officers burst onto the scene but when it saw its owners obeying the command to lie down, it ran over and laid down as well.' Brazilian animal psychiatrist and dog trainer Barnie Rico said: 'The dog lying on its back exposing its belly is a classic sign of submission in the dog world. Drugs bust: Police recovered a substantial quantity of cocaine, as well as weighing scales, guns and ammunition, at the scene (stock image) 'By exposing its underbelly to any potential attacker it is showing that it doesn't mean any trouble. 'The dog is also turning its head away as looking at the potential enemy can also be seen as a sign of aggression to another dog. 'It is clearly a very clever animal because it saw the rest of its pack given in, and decided to copy them.' Online users pointed out that with local police thing to simply shoot dogs on site when carrying out armed raids, it was probably a good move to make sure everyone realised the animal didn't cause any trouble. It was reportedly not arrested with the rest of the suspected gang.
target: Dog pictured 'surrendering' alongside its drug gang owners .
  Police took amusing snap during a drugs bust in south Brazil .
  Picture showing gang members and their dog has since gone viral .