[NormsRevenge]

An anti-explosive rat stands on the shoulder of a police officer during training at the police station in Sibate south of Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, April 19, 2006. Six rats are being taught by police to search for explosives and landmines. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

[TomServo]

I can't tell you what I thought when I first saw the headline. But my heart did soar a bit...;-)

[bybybill]

Thank you GOD, finally a real job for Nancy and Dingy Harry

[ahayes]

Impractical. They're spending 1.5 years training them and their lifespan is only about 3 years on average.

Otherwise a great idea. Too bad gerbils aren't smarter, they live up to 5 years.

[takeemout]

"six-rat squadron...."

and

"An anti-explosive rat"

Now this is cool!

[buffyt]

Last time I took my son to the airport to fly from LA to Houston there was a drug or bomb sniffing dog at work. It was a huge German shepherd. I am scared to death of big dogs, having been attacked and bitten by a dog when I was five. I was petrified. I am glad it didn't come near me, I would have freaked out. Later my 21 year old son said it would have freaked him out, too. Big dogs are just so darn scary. Not too fond of rats, though, either! LOL

[Pittsburg Phil]

I knew the DeomcRats were good for something.

[manwiththehands]

Darn. I thought you said 'Rats.

[mrs. a]

My dad grew up in Wilkes Barre, PA - coal mine country. He said the coal miners used to encourage rats; they brought down snacks to feed them, because if they saw the rats begin to run, they dropped whatever they had and ran with the rats. The rats could detect vibrations in the earth before the humans could.

[KarlInOhio]

Here's a 'Rat trained to search for alcohol.

[SandRat]

Ain't that nice? They've finally found worthwhile work for Ed Asner, Sean Penn, Martin Sheen, and Jane Fonda

[Rembrandt]

Speedy Gonzales?

[The Red Zone]

Another problem facing their handlers is recognizing the tiny rats' signals while staying a safe distance away.

Introducing the RatCam