Pubdate: Sun, 08 May 2005
Source: Sunday Territorian (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact:  http://www.ntnews.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3401
Author: Jim Dickins

MORE SNIFFER DOG TEAMS

DARWIN will get extra sniffer dogs as part of additional security
measures to be announced in this week's federal Budget.

In the wake of the Bali nine and a string of other Asian smuggling
allegations, the Government has committed to spend almost $9 million,
including 10 new airport dog teams.

Money will also go towards strengthening Australian Customs' mail
screening capability and its testing program for chemical and
biological agents.

Five of the dogs are trained in narcotics detection and will begin
work this month after completing their 13-week training program.

Chief instructor at the national dog training centre Rob Webb said the
dogs would be deployed to Darwin, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and
Western Australia.

An average day for a customs detector dog can include screening 1000
passengers, 200 bags, 50 bulk airmail bags and 100 boxes of freight.
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MAP posted-by: Derek