Lois Larson
Dogs have been used to improve airport security and enhance the passenger experience for decades. They are trained to detect explosives, drugs, cash, wildlife, animal parts, contraband items, and foreign plants. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States has more than 140 dogs of various breeds working in more than 35 airports. Outside of the US, dogs are also deployed at Dublin Airport, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, and other international airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports with police dogs | More than 35 airports in the US |
| Number of dogs | More than 140 |
| Dog breeds | Golden Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Vizslas, Labradors, Beagles |
| Airports with police dogs | McCarran International Airport (LAS), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Honolulu International Airport (HNL), Dublin Airport, JFK Airport in New York |
| Function | Detect explosives, drugs, cash, wildlife, animal parts, contraband items, foreign plants |
| Other functions | Patrol airport security lines to reduce waiting times, assist in finding lost items |
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What You'll Learn
- Dogs improve airport security and enhance the passenger experience
- TSA has implemented canines into its cargo screening protocols
- The Beagle Brigade in the US identifies explosives, drugs, and foreign plants
- The Airport Police Dog Unit patrols Dublin Airport's 17km boundary
- Dogs at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport help locate lost items
Dogs improve airport security and enhance the passenger experience
Dogs have been a part of humankind since prehistoric times, when they helped humans hunt for food. Today, they are an integral part of airport security, assisting in various tasks and enhancing the overall passenger experience.
The most common use of dogs at airports is for detection purposes, where they sniff out explosives, drugs, and other dangerous items. With their highly developed sense of smell, or olfaction, dogs can detect odours at extremely low levels, even rivalling the limits of technology. They have 20-40 times more odour receptors than humans, allowing them to identify target odours they have been trained to focus on. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States deploys over 1,000 TSA-certified canine teams to screen passengers and cargo at more than 100 airports. These dogs undergo rigorous training to ensure they are on par with any working canine explosion detection team worldwide.
Dogs also play a role in making the airport experience more enjoyable for passengers. For instance, they can assist travellers with disabilities and provide comfort to stressed passengers. Additionally, detection dogs and their handlers patrol security lines, reducing waiting times by eliminating the need for passengers to remove their shoes or empty their bags. The presence of dogs in airports can bring joy to people, making the security process more light-hearted and fun.
Furthermore, dogs have been known to chase hazardous wildlife and birds away from runways, ensuring the safety of aircraft. They can also be trained to detect specific illnesses in people by identifying odours, such as in the case of malaria detection.
While emotional support animals (ESAs) have become increasingly common, especially in the US, only certified assistance animals are now allowed onboard. This ensures that only professionally trained animals are permitted, contributing to a safer and more controlled environment for all passengers.
Overall, dogs provide an invaluable layer of security and improve the efficiency of airport operations, all while bringing joy and comfort to travellers. Their keen sense of smell, combined with their trainability and dedication, makes them indispensable members of the airport community.
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TSA has implemented canines into its cargo screening protocols
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented canines into its cargo-screening protocols. The TSA's canine teams are trained to detect explosives by scent. The dogs' superior olfactory abilities make them invaluable in this role. They can inhale more air per sniff, allowing them to detect a wider range of odours.
The TSA has more than 140 dogs from various breeds, including Golden Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Vizslas, and Labrador Retrievers. These dogs are stationed at over 35 airports, with some specifically working in the security checkpoints and PreCheck lines. The canines work alongside their handlers, who guide them towards the source of a scent.
The TSA has a Certified Cargo Screening Program-Canine that establishes a framework for third-party canines to screen cargo to TSA standards. This program enhances air cargo security and provides an efficient and cost-effective method for air carriers to meet agency standards.
While canine teams are an important security measure, the TSA has faced some challenges in ensuring the teams are effectively utilized. In the past, some canine teams have not complied with monthly training requirements, and there have been concerns about the deployment of passenger screening canines (PSC) to high-risk airport locations. The TSA has been recommended to regularly analyze data and take corrective actions to improve the program's effectiveness.
The use of canines in airport security provides an extra layer of protection and helps to reduce waiting times for passengers. The dogs work diligently to keep transportation systems safe, and their contributions have been recognized and celebrated on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
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The Beagle Brigade in the US identifies explosives, drugs, and foreign plants
The Beagle Brigade is a team of hardworking dogs employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to detect plants and animals that have the potential to carry harmful diseases onto U.S. soil. About 120 beagles are employed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection, as well as state and local government agencies and departments. These dogs are spread across 88 major international airports in the U.S. and are specially trained to use their powerful sense of smell to locate prohibited food and other plant and animal products.
The Beagle Brigade falls under the Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Program (AQI) and is primarily funded by user fees collected by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services. The detector dog program was set up in the 1980s to closely monitor agricultural imports at the nation's 328 land, sea, and air ports of entry. The Beagle Brigade is trained to detect prohibited agricultural products that can carry foreign pests and diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture and forests. These include fruits, vegetables, meat products, and even exotic plants and soil.
The Beagle Brigade works alongside their handlers, putting in an eight-hour workday. They spend 45 minutes out of every hour making rounds and inspecting flights, with the remaining 15 minutes dedicated to rest. During their shifts, these dogs may come across packed-away items that could harbor foreign animal diseases and potentially invasive pests. For example, Mox, a beagle at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, once found a Giant African snail in a suitcase traveling from Nigeria to Texas. The snail, which can carry parasites and wreak havoc on agricultural vegetation, was confiscated.
While the Beagle Brigade focuses on agricultural detection, other detection dogs are trained to identify explosives and drugs. These dogs are often stationed at security checkpoints and work with their handlers to enhance airport security.
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The Airport Police Dog Unit patrols Dublin Airport's 17km boundary
The Airport Police Dog Unit, or APDU, is an integral part of the security and policing of Dublin Airport. The unit has existed since the 1970s and its primary function is to patrol the airport's 17-kilometre boundary.
The APDU uses its own vehicles to check the integrity of the fencing and investigate possible breaches 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The unit also assists the Airport Police Service with public order situations and searches for persons.
The Airport Police Service (APS) is a small private police force that provides security and aviation security at three state airports in Ireland: Dublin, Cork, and Shannon. The APS was first founded in 1936 and its role includes the prevention, detection, and response to minor criminal acts, as well as ensuring public safety and maintaining public order.
The use of dogs in airport security is becoming increasingly common. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, with 20 to 60 times more odour receptors than humans, allowing them to differentiate between 30,000 to 100,000 scents. This makes them excellent at detecting explosives and other contraband, as well as providing an extra layer of security in airports.
In addition to Dublin, airports in Amsterdam, Honolulu, and Washington Dulles International Airport also employ dogs in their security protocols. A viral video posted on TikTok showed airport security dogs in Chile enjoying some downtime while off duty, chasing a ball across the airport floor.
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Dogs at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport help locate lost items
Dogs have 60 times as many smell receptors as humans, and their superior sense of smell is often put to good use at airports. While detection dogs are commonly used at security checkpoints to sniff out explosives, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport employs a dog named Sherlock to help locate lost items.
Sherlock, a Beagle, is known to tear through the airport with items such as mobiles, headphones, and toys attached to his back in search of their rightful owners. This initiative is part of the airport's dedicated Lost & Found services, which also include Lost & Found desks located at Kelderplein, Lounge 1, and Holland Boulevard. These desks handle various lost items, from jewellery to passports and laptops.
If you've lost an item on an aircraft arriving at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, you can either return to the arrival gate or visit the Lost & Found desk. If the item is not found there, you can contact your airline directly, as most have procedures in place for handling lost items. The airport's Lost & Found department is open seven days a week, with varying hours depending on the location.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is not the only airport to employ dogs for security and passenger assistance. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States has more than 140 canines working at over 35 airports, including Washington Dulles International Airport and Honolulu International Airport. These dogs are trained to detect explosives and enhance security measures.
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