The late TBV Scout Woody
Posted on 8/1/2007, 4:10:44 PM by SwinneySwitch
The Border Patrol is beefing up its forces with thousands of new agents, and for some, that also means training their four-legged partners.
Dogs play an increasingly important role in border security, and KENS 5 got a look inside the National Canine Facility in El Paso.
Clay Thomas and his partner Jacko the dog search vehicles during a demonstration at the canine training facility, and in a matter of seconds, it's clear to Jacko that there's something — or someone — hidden in a truck.
Jacko has a proven track record at real checkpoints, having found more than 200 people and nearly $70 million in drugs.
At 9 years old, Jacko, a Belgian Malinois, is nearing retirement.
More coverage KENS video: Watch the broadcast
Several dogs are preparing to follow in Jacko's footsteps, but first, they must pass a rigorous training course, which includes finding drugs in vehicles.
"For the two weeks they've been doing this, these dogs are doing awesome," said Rob Lukason, a Border Patrol canine instructor.
The Border Patrol is nearly doubling its number of dogs to 1,200 to keep pace with demand. All of the canines are cross-trained to detect smuggled drugs and humans.
The next class of canines graduates in September. From the training facility, the canine teams get a few more days of on-the-job training in the field. Then they get their assignments, not just along the border, but across the country.
"They are the greatest tool in the war against terrorism, and the war against narcotics, and alien smuggling," said Thomas, a Border Patrol canine instructor.
In recent years, the Border Patrol expanded the dogs' training to include search-and-rescue missions.
"That's our bread and butter, the tracking," said Rob Noziska, with Border Patrol Search and Rescue.
Dogs like Chelsea, with her partner Noziska, can mean the difference between life and death for hundreds of immigrants lost in the desert.
"When you actually find someone, the reward is more than you can explain," Noziska said.
The dogs are specially selected for their jobs. Some are bought, while others are bred by the Border Patrol.
"The dogs train from the beginning as a little puppy to investigate a vehicle," said Clark Larson, director of the National Canine Facility.
Puppies start their training with toy trucks to match their size.
But beyond training, it's the bond that's the key to success.
"You put a hard-working agent with a hard-working dog, and it's a team you can't compare anything to," Thomas said.
ping
Horses are also of benefit. One difference between a horse and a dog is that the horse will look directly at something that bothers them. Like people hiding in the brush. Horses and dogs work well with each other also.
K-9 Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Keep Vick away from them.
I never knew a dog that wouldn't do that.
"We hunt down illegal aliens and report them to the boss..."
I would like to know why the former PAIC, Ernesto Castillo, of the Brownsville, Texas Border Patrol Station, voluntarily decided to pull all K-9 officers from the station. The dogs were EXTREMELY valuable in locating aliens that were hiding in the thick brush along the Rio Grande River. All the K-9 officers were pulled from the station and sent to the Sarita checkpoint on Highway 77. The Brownsville Station didn’t even have ONE dog to help other agents track and locate illegal aliens. I’ll bet the public never knew that though...
I think they should be using Presa Canarios or Fila Brasilieros instead of Sheepdogs. A lot more intimidating.
: )
Don’t tell DA Sutton—he’ll send the dogcatchers and take them to the pound.
NC dogs?
I am glad to see they aren’t gonna use Chihuahuas!
I am glad to see they aren’t gonna use Chihuahuas!
Or hot dogs...
They were probably TOO effective and interfering with our DOJ and Homeland Security's efforts to let the drugs flow in unimpeded. Johnny Sutton and Alberto Gonzoles are pleased that the pooches were fired. (They're probably behind getting them removed.) These dogs are awesome. My daughter has a Belgian Mananois who was a Customs drug dropout dog (too friendly) and it's a great dog. We should be using thousands of them all along the border.
LOL!!
Dogs Rule...cats Drool!!!!!!!
>>I would like to know why the former PAIC, Ernesto Castillo, of the Brownsville, Texas Border Patrol Station, voluntarily decided to pull all K-9 officers from the station. The dogs were EXTREMELY valuable in locating aliens that were hiding in the thick brush along the Rio Grande River.
Because some people in government don’t mind the slightest that people are crossing our borders illegally and violating our national sovereignty.
When I had been hauling all 3 of my dogs back and forth to Corpus I would occasionally be asked to open my back door to let the dog check out the inside of my truck. The pooch would stand there, look around, see no dogs inside and then walk off. It can be a bit unnerving when the BP agent sternly says, “I need you to open your door, sir.”
These dogs are highly trained, but they are still dogs.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.