K-9

K-9

Year: 1989

Runtime: 101 min

Language: English

Director: Rod Daniel

ActionComedyCrime

As Detective Mike Dooley prepares to retire, his loyal police dog, Jerry Lee, unwittingly pulls them into a dangerous criminal plot. Framed as suspects, Dooley and Jerry Lee must work together to clear their names and expose the true criminals. Complicating matters, an FBI investigation threatens Dooley's hard-earned pension, forcing him to use his wits and his canine partner's skills to survive and solve the case.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – K-9 (1989)

Trace every key event in K-9 (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Helicopter attack on stakeout

During a stakeout, Dooley leaves his police car to contact his girlfriend Tracy. A helicopter attacks and destroys the car, throwing the operation into chaos. The assault signals that Lyman is escalating his methods and sets the tone for Dooley's relentless pursuit.

Day San Diego (stakeout location)
2

Dooley confides about Lyman and his partner

Back at the station, Dooley tells his lieutenant Byers that the attack was likely ordered by Ken Lyman. He insists on working alone, despite Byers' attempts to get him a partner. The exchange underscores the friction between Dooley's stubborn independence and the department's need for backup.

Day San Diego Police Station
3

Night stakeout with Freddie

Following a tip about an informant named Freddie, Dooley spends the night in his personal car to stay on the case. He pressures Freddie to reveal that Lyman ordered the attack and to provide a lead on a warehouse. The stakeout keeps the investigation moving while testing Dooley's methods.

Night Dooley's car
4

K-9 groundwork and warehouse tip

The next morning, Freddie confirms Lyman's orders and points to a drug warehouse. Dooley asks Brannigan for a K-9 and is loaned an experienced German Shepherd named Jerry Lee. The partnership begins, giving Dooley a new edge in tracking the operation.

Morning Police Station
5

Warehouse search yields little

Dooley and Jerry Lee head to the warehouse, but the search yields little progress. The dog initially ignores Dooley's commands, and only a marijuana joint is found. The fruitless search emphasizes the challenge of uncovering Lyman's hidden network.

Day Warehouse
6

Benny the Mule stakeout and arrest

At a pub, Dooley stakes out Benny the Mule. Jerry Lee saves Dooley when the operation is blown, and with the dog's help Dooley subdues Benny and learns the location of Lyman's next shipment. The partnership strengthens as they prove effective in the field.

Evening Pub
7

Lyman escalates violence

Meanwhile, Lyman kills Freddie and orders his henchman Dillon to kill Dooley before the shipment arrives. The murder raises the stakes and confirms that Dooley remains a target in Lyman's operations.

Night Lyman's operation area
8

Tracy accepts Dooley's story; dog takes the spotlight

Back at Dooley's apartment, Jerry Lee becomes the star as Tracy accepts Dooley's account of rescuing the dog. The moment deepens Dooley's bond with both Tracy and Jerry Lee, reinforcing his sense of loyalty.

Next day Dooley's apartment
9

Bonding and a near-fatal shootout

The following day, Dooley and Jerry Lee bond as they spy on Lyman. They are nearly killed when someone shoots at them, and Jerry Lee leads Dooley to the attacker, who falls to his death. The chase confirms the danger of the case and the dog's effectiveness.

Daytime City vicinity
10

Halstead and the red Mercedes lead to the dealer

A clue leads Dooley to Halstead, the auto-dealer who works for Lyman. Jerry Lee identifies a red Mercedes loaded with drugs, exposing Halstead's role in the operation. The discovery tightens the web around Lyman's network.

Daytime Auto-dealer shop
11

Tracy kidnapped; mansion confrontation

Lyman kidnaps Tracy, prompting Dooley to crash a party at Lyman's mansion. He is arrested by his own department as part of a ruse designed to fool Lyman into rushing the shipment, a plan Byers initially resists but ultimately allows.

Evening Lyman's mansion
12

Escape with the dog and Halstead arrest

Using Jerry Lee's flatulence as a distraction, Dooley escapes with the dog. He spots Halstead's truck carrying the red Mercedes and, with Jerry Lee at his side, pursues and arrests Halstead. The pursuit moves the case toward a final showdown.

Night City streets
13

Desert showdown with Lyman and Tracy

Dooley drives the truck to the desert where Lyman, with Tracy hostage in his limousine, awaits. He uses a videogame as a fake detonator to pressure Lyman into surrendering and releasing Tracy, aiming to avert a disastrous deal for the buyer.

Final confrontation Desert
14

Final firefight and the fate of Jerry Lee

A shootout erupts; Dillon is killed and Jerry Lee chases Lyman. Lyman shoots Jerry Lee, and Dooley returns fire, but Lyman is ultimately killed by Gilliam's henchmen. The dog is wounded but Dooley vows to see him through.

Final confrontation Desert
15

Hospital recovery and Las Vegas ending

Dooley and Tracy rush Jerry Lee to the hospital, where a surgeon operates on the dog. In the recovery room, Dooley pays tribute to his loyal partner, and the dog survives. With the case wrapped, Dooley, Tracy, Jerry Lee, and a poodle take a vacation together in Las Vegas.

Post-battle Hospital; Las Vegas (epilogue)

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

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