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| Q: |
How long has CBP been using dogs to search for narcotics,
currency, smuggled agriculture products, and dangerous materials? |
| A: |
Detector dogs were introduced on a wide scale in April 1970 as
part of a major effort, by the then U.S. Customs Service to
interdict narcotics being smuggled through major air/sea and land
border ports. |
| Q: |
How are detector dogs used? |
| A: |
Teams consisting of a dog and officer are used to screen
arriving aircraft, cargo, baggage, mail, ships, vehicles, and
passengers. |
| Q: |
What types of dogs are used for this work? |
| A: |
The CEP uses a wide variety of dogs including, Labrador
Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois,
and many mixed breeds. The Agriculture side of the canine program
uses Beagles as well. The most important factor in selecting
detector dogs for training is not its breed, but the extent of
enthusiasm the dog displays toward retrieving a given object. All
potential CBP dogs are tested to see if they possess the inherited
traits that make them a likely candidate for detection training.
Many dogs are tested, but relatively few are procured. Dogs used
by the CEP can be of either sex, but must be between 1 and 3 years
of age. |
| Q: |
How does the CEP obtain its dogs? |
| A: |
Dogs that are selected for training are obtained from animal
shelters, humane societies and rescue leagues, primarily in the
Eastern and Midwestern part of the United States. Many of these
dogs are unadoptable and would have to be destroyed. Dogs meeting
the entrance qualifications are also taken as donations from
private owners. Some dogs are purchased through contract vendors.
Several years ago, the CEP began breeding program to provide
additional detector dogs to the program. As the CEP detector dog
program grows, we continue to look for new and better ways to
recruit dogs. |
| Q: |
Where are the dogs trained? |
| A: |
OFO canines are trained at the Canine Enforcement Training
Center and occasionally satellite facilities, when warranted. The
Agriculture dogs are trained at the National Detector Dog Training
Center. |
| Q: |
What are the dogs taught to find? |
| A: |
The CEP narcotic detector dogs are taught to detect concealed
narcotics, such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy,
methamphetamine, and other dangerous substances. Some dogs are
trained to detect either currency, concealed humans, agriculture
products or dangerous materials that could be used by terrorists.
While the dogs are trained to detect specific odors, the officers
are trained how to effectively utilize the detector dogs, and to
enhance the detection capabilities. Officers are also instructed
in the various areas of Customs law, Immigration law, agency
regulations, policies and procedures, proper firearms techniques,
use of force issues and non-lethal control procedures. |
| Q: |
What is the typical workday for an OFO canine team?
|
| A: |
Canine teams work a full 8-hour day. Teams assigned to
airports and seaports alternate between examining aircraft,
vessels, baggage, cargo, mail, as well as passengers. Teams
stationed at land border crossings devote their time to examining
vehicles and merchandise entering the United States. Canine teams
can be utilized to search for a trained odor in most any area
imaginable. During every workday, canine teams conduct training
exercises to enhance the dog's performance in the work
environment. Officers also respond to requests for detector dog
services from other agencies and off-sight sources on a limited
basis. CBP Officers are also responsible for the general health
and care of their assigned detector dog. |
| Q: |
How do dogs compare with people in examining vehicles,
cargo, or mail? |
| A: |
At border ports a canine team can examine a vehicle in 5 to 6
minutes. Even a cursory search by a CBP Officer without a canine
would require at least 20 minutes. Canines can check packages in a
fraction of the time needed by mail examiners. A canine team can
process 400 to 500 packages in approximately 30 minutes. |
| Q: |
How many years does the CEP keep dogs on the job? What
happens after they retire? |
| A: |
The CEP employs dogs as long as they can successfully perform
and meet workload requirements. The service career of a detector
dog will typically last no longer than eight years. Upon
retirement, their handlers usually adopt the dogs or a good home
is found for the animal. |
| Q: |
Can a civilian law enforcement agency acquire detector dog
training from CEP? |
| A: |
Yes, on a limited basis. For information on courses,
availability, costs, etc., contact the Canine Enforcement Training
Center 1-888-USA-DOG1, or the Program Manager, Canine
Enforcement Program (202) 344-1279. |
Other Sites:
BorderPatrolAcademy.com
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BorderPatrolJob.com
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BorderPatrolCheckpoint.com
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BorderStar.com
ExplorerProgram.com
| IllegalImmigrationNews.com
|
CBP.gov
| ICE.gov
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