Natsuko's dog is supposed to be a canine Sousuke, right? The scar, the lack of common sense, the propensity to use traps, it all checks out. Plus, his name is "Sosu".
Does the author have any relation to Gatoh or was this just a completely random reference?
EDIT: Ok, this is what I get for commenting before finishing the chapter, he is clearly a reference. I guess this manga is just rolling with this kind of referential humor, even on the core premise with the boy detective full of gadgets.