DOGGIE DETECTIVE

Abandoned Pooch Now Sniffs Out Dope

Being abandoned turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Jake. Unwanted
by his owner, the black Labrador puppy from Kelowna, B.C., was tied to the
door handle of a parked car and left to the mercy of a stranger.

The stranger took him to the humane society where he lived a short while
before he was "discovered" by talent scouts at Canada Border Services Agency.

Motivated, Fearless

"We took an interest in him, and now he's got a good life," said Connie, a
dog handler with Canada Border Services Agency who did not want her last
name published to protect Jake's safety. "He's working for a living now."

Jake was chosen by the agency because he was highly motivated to chase
after a ball and was fearless in his searching efforts.

"We often go to humane societies to look for potential dogs," said Connie,
adding black Labradors are a popular breed because of their strong sense of
smell.

After an intense 10-week training session at Detector Dog School in Quebec,
Jake graduated in July 2000 and has been working with Connie at the
Winnipeg International Airport ever since.

"I bring him to work with me each day and take him home at the end of the
day," said Connie. "When we're not at work, he's just like a regular pet."

Jake can detect 12 kinds of narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, opium,
marijuana and ecstasy and when a new drug comes out on the market, he can
learn its smell after five minutes of training.

He can also detect weapons, gunpowder and even currency.

"When he smells something, he'll point to where it is with his nose and
then sits and waits for his toy," said Connie, adding Jake was able to
detect a few ecstasy pills vacuum-packed in coffee grounds and wrapped in
several sheets of fabric softener.

Jake doesn't always know when it's the end of the work day, though.

"We were at a mall and a man walked by with a backpack that Jake was
interested in," said Connie. "But it's not in my jurisdiction, so I just
rewarded Jake (for discovering the contraband) and I can call the cops."