Why we should look into using more dogs for airport and transport safety

In TSA's own words from their website:


"The TSA National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program is an effective, flexible tool used to detect explosives and deter terrorism in aviation, mass transit and cargo environments. Our teams are a mobile form of explosive detection that can be utilized in all areas of the transportation environment. There are hundreds of teams deployed nationwide based on current threats and a risk analysis. They can be deployed anywhere in the transportation system in minutes and are extremely accurate."


So my question is why aren't we using more dogs in airports across the country to detect explosives and terrorism?  


We trust our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan to use trained dogs in war.   Why not use more dogs here within our airports?  


Wouldn't it be great to walk into a major US airport and see 10-15 dogs lined up ready to sniff suitcases and people?  Like a row of happy four legged, tail-wagging soldiers ready for action.


FACT:  Dogs have nearly 220 million smell-sensitive cells over an area about the size of a pocket handkerchief (compared to 5 million over an area the size of a postage stamp for humans).  Again 220 MILLION vs. 5 MILLION.  Aren't we missing the trick here in getting dogs to help us doing what they love?  Dogs enjoy the work and they are hard working.  Working dogs perform for obtaining simple pleasures in their life such as tennis balls, kongs, tugs and pats on the head.  


How much do these new TSA machines cost anyway?  Are they 100% effective?  I realise that people will argue that dogs aren't always 100% effective (true, but like people dogs can have an off day for reasons we don't know) but I know in a lot of cases of canine research dogs have been consistently successful in feats that we as humans could never compete.


Here are just some of the stories which I have found over the years demonstrating how amazing dogs are:


Dogs sniffing out mold in houses
Dogs sniffing out bladder and prostrate cancer (in controlled laboratories)
Dogs alerting diabetes patients of low insulin
Dogs sniffing out skin cancer (documented cases in the UK and US)
Dogs sniffing out rare explosives
Dogs sniffing out bedbugs
Dogs sniffing out endangered plants and animals in conservation around the world


Dogs do amazing things and they are the only domesticated animal that can work side by side with us in conditions in which we choose for them.


Let's not only get the conversation going on using more dogs for detection within TSA (not necessarily replacing all machines with dogs but adding dogs as a vital support tool).  


I believe if we were to use working sniffing dogs for TSA airport detection, we could encourage the following:


1.) Employment for people to train and look after TSA dogs (creating jobs not machines)
2.) Promote responsible breeders who are promoting healthy function rather than looks
3.) Rescue and train US shelter dogs (both pedigree and crossbreeds)
4.) Ease stress of travellers by using non-invasive forms of detection such as detection dogs


I have had the fortunate opportunity to meet some incredible bomb and detection dogs throughout Europe and in the US.  Most handlers have shared with me their perception on how a trained detection dog in their area of work helps to ease the minds of passengers in a busy transport area.  Dog handlers also shared with me that often their dog brings a smile to a busy commuter.




Travel safe.


Heidi