December is a 3-year-old Husky/mix with ice blue eyes and incredible markings. She is active, playful, loves the water, getting attention, and belly rubs.
Provided to the LVN
Dear reader, I am always amazed at the jobs that our canine friends are presently doing. The Beagle Brigade is another branch of dog occupations that fills a vital need. The detector dog program was set up in the 1980s as part of the Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Program. The goal was to train dogs to search and find packed-away items that might conceal foreign animal diseases or invasive pests.
Beagles have an exceptional sense of smell that is at least 10,000 times stronger than humans are. Their long ears contribute by trapping scents for their keen nose. Beagles are also very trainable and calm making them ideal as sniffer dogs. In basic training, they learn to detect five basic odors: apple, mango, citrus, pork and beef. These five scents are associated with potential pests and diseases.
The beagles patrol cruise ship terminals, trucking terminals and airports sniffing their way through containers and luggage. The current rise in international livestock diseases, like African swine fever, makes it particularly important to detect them before they enter the U.S.
Their success rate is astounding. In 2022, they intercepted more than 150,000 agricultural items. The amazing thing is that beagles are faster than X-rays machines because they can sniff 100 bags in seconds. With X-rays, you are relying on the operator to recognize a contraband item but with a super sniffer, the nose knows.
What specific items are the dogs trained to detect? They are experts at detecting fruits, vegetables and meats. Some of the contraband they have found includes a living giant African snail, a roasted pig’s head, raw sausage, chorizo, eggplants, honeycombs, snake meat, camel meat and Egyptian mangos.
Found contraband items are confiscated and destroyed because meat and produce can carry diseases like foot and mouth disease, classical swine fever, ASF, and avian flu. All of which threaten U.S. agriculture.
The Beagle Brigade has rightfully earned a special place in law enforcement. To quote one of the pups’ handlers “Beagles are dedicated, smart, and extremely cute.” Who could ask for anything more?
ATTENTION
CAPS board meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 in room 201 at the County Offices located on Taylor Street.
Adoption forms are now available online at our website www.capsnevada.com.
LOOKING FOR A HOME
We have 9 adorable Dalmatian/mix puppies who are 16 weeks old. Born at CAPS, the puppies and are currently looking for foster homes until adopted. Call 775-423-7500.
IN NEED OF
• Volunteers to walk dogs or play with cats. Call 775-423-7500 for details.
• Funds toward the new heating system that we recently had to install to replace the ancient boiler. Any amount is helpful.
• Aluminum cans. Please drop them off at CAPS. We are temporarily unable to pick them up.
SHOUT OUT TO
• The Fallon Theater for providing a place to have the doggie fashion show and photos with Santa. Paws applause to you!
• Tieris Williams for organizing the doggie fashion show. A Four-Paw-Salute to you!
• To everyone who supported the fashion show. You are Pawsome!
COME SEE US
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.
DON’T FORGET
• December Holiday: Celebrate National Mutt Day with your BFF.
• Board Meetings. We meet once a month on the second Tuesday, at 5:30 p.m. in room 201 at the County Offices located on Taylor Street.
• If you would like a newsletter, call 775-423-7500 or email caps@cccom.net.
• CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.
Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Email jkwmil@outlook.com.