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Two
Labradors land a 'mouthwatering job'
for the State Veterinary Service
News
from the British Veterinary Association this month, in their
monthly 'Off the Record', publication, included the details
of a new initiative being piloted by HM Customs and Excise at
Heathrow airport.
Samos, a black Labrador, and her brother, have been chosen to
carry out some important work for DEFRA. They are now employed
as the UK's first 'detector dogs', trained not to sniff out
drugs but concealed meat and animal products, such as 'bush
meat' (from endangered species) and dried fish.
Before starting work, the dogs underwent a six-week Metropolitan
Police training course in Keston, Kent.
They then spent a further six weeks at Heathrow with experienced
HM Customs and Excise staff. DEFRA began piloting the use of
these 'meat detector' dogs last September, as part of an action
plan to help combat illegal imports of prohibited products.
The dogs are currently working on the baggage carousels, in
halls and cargo sheds. The dogs each work with their own full-time
handlers, who were chosen from the SVS staff. The cost of preparing
each team of dog and handler is £30,000. During the six-month
assessment of the pilot scheme, DEFRA will be reviewing the
effectiveness of these special partnerships in action.
It is hoped that in time, Samos and her brother will be working
with the nine dogs already based at Heathrow.
The dogs are part of the Government's action plan which followed
the outbreak of FMD in 2001; however, they will be unaware of
this fact and must be surely enjoying a favourite pastime of
Labradors everywhere…that is, sniffing interesting smells!
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