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FOCUS ON OAKVILLE Sniffing for trouble Federal inspection agency trains beagles at Lions Foundation By Wilma Blokhuis The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 10, 2003 - B3 M devastation o f disease is astronomical, train a dog including training with a for example as the spread in Mad Cow handler. After graduation, the dog is on BEAVER FO C U S EDITOR disease." probation for a year. "W e' ve sent teams to the Royal " Our biggest challenge in finding ore than a dozen friendly beagles," said Oliveira. " To have five beagles descended on the W inter Fair, International Plowing Lions Foundation o f Match, plus media interviews," said trained dogs, we need to evaluate 108 beagles to make sure they' re suitable to Canada dog guide train Oliveira. " We inform the public that these work in a noisy, busy environment such ing centre last week for some interesting dogs are used to find contraband and to as an airport." training exercises. Oliveira said dogs from breeders are In fact, it was more like a day o ff for educate the public to prevent this from these dogs that spend their days sniffing happening. People can save themselves not accepted, but instead the Agency rescues dogs from shelters and accepts for contraband contained in passenger a lot o f trouble by declaring. You w ill luggage at the country's major airports never get in trouble i f you declare. Our fam ily donations. " We saved a lot o f fo r the Canadian Food Inspection motto is `be aware and declare,' " he animals." said. Most beagles are ready to be trained Agency. In Canada, the 15 teams o f handlers at 1 2 -1 8 months, and have a working Fifteen teams o f canine handlers and lifespan o f 7 - 9 years. beagles from across Canada spent three and dogs are stationed in Toronto, " Loving homes are found for the days last week at the Oakville facility Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal. that trains guide dogs for blind, deaf and Quebec City, and Halifax. Next year, beagles that don't work out," said Oliveira. "We' ve never euthanized a special needs individuals, to participate new teams w ill begin appearing in dog, and I ' m very proud to say that." in the Agency's annual detector dog Edmonton, St. John's and Goose Bay. Retired working dogs are offered to The Agency began its inspection workshop. the handler first because a " special a "We hold these workshops for cama program with one team in 1980. " By special bond has developed between raderie and team relationship building January, we hope to have 19 teams." that person and the animal," he added. among our teams and to instill a consis said Oliveira. Kiziero veriom · u a K v m e B e a v e r The Canadian Food Inspection For information, or to donate a bea C laudine Leger, a canine handier w ith the Canadian Food Inspection Agency tency on the job at the airports," said gle, call Nez Oliveira on his cell phone directs M o lly to s n iff luggage d u rin g a tra in in g workshop held last week at Nez Oliveira, national manager o f the Agency trains its dogs at its facility in non-commercial travelers program for Guelph. It takes about three months to at 1-519-654-0765. the Lions Foundation o f Canada dog guide tra in in g centre. the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In addition, there are demonstrations where the handlers critique each other and the accuracy o f the dogs is tested in skills competitions. " Camaraderie and team building are the focus o f these workshops," said Oliveira. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency rotates its annual workshops to various locations across Canada, how ever Oliveira was so impressed with the Lions Foundation o f Canada's facility that he vowed to come back at a future date. " This is one o f the nicest locations we' ve ever used," he said. "This is the only place we've used where the people and dogs stayed at the same facility." It was the first time the Canadian Food Inspection Agency used the Lions Foundation's facility, and also the first time an outside dog-training organiza tion came to the Oakville training cen Sears sells more major appliances than any other individual retailer in Canada. Based on independent national surveys current at time of advertising preparation tre. Known as detector dogs, these trained beagles s n i f f passenger luggage for such restricted items such as animal and agricultural products and plant material brought in from international flights, explained Oliveira. "We also look for live animals being smuggled into the country, in addition to meats, sausages, bacon. live plants and products made from plants," said Oliveira. "A nd. although it's very emotional for people, we've even seized a bit a soil collected from a loved one's gravesite. because there's also a restricted entry fo r soil," he said. "These dogs are the first line o f Save $20 on Kenmore® super capacity washer. defence against pests and disease com ing into Canada," said Oliveira. 6 cycle options. Porcelain-on-steel wash basket. Once they smell contraband, these #24422. Sears reg. 469.99.449.99 friendly beagles sit quietly beside a suit case and wait for an inspector to have a Save $20 on Kenmore extra-large capacity dryer. look. Oliveira describes the dogs' reac 4 drying options. #62212. Sears reg. 419.99.399.99 tion to finding banned substances as a 'Team price includes additional $50 savings "passive response - they just sit and wait for the inspector to come." He said beagles are used exclusively · because o f their gentle nature and very' keen sense o f smell, plus they are non threatening to the traveling public. " They have a very passenger friend · ly, polite demeanor." Should contraband be found, the inspector w ill ask the passenger about the possible contents o f their luggage and request to see a declaration card. "O ur detector dogs are accurate 90 per cent o f the time. They' re very effec tive. It's hard to fool that nose." " We've searched people who have forgotten to declare and others who purposely smuggle goods into the coun try," said Oliveira, adding a declaration o f a product can save a passenger an onthe-spot fine o f up to $400. " The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is an enforcement branch o f the federal government." said Oliveira. "We inspect, enforce, prosecute and fine peo ple. I f you do not declare, you can be crim inally prosecuted. The stakes are high so think twice about not declaring, because it's pretty hard to fool one o f these dogs." Don't pay until September 2004, on approved credit, only with your Sears Card. Minimum $200 purchase. $55 deferral fee and all applicable taxes and charges are payable at time of purchase. Excludes items in our Liquidation/Outlet stores. Ask for details. Payment options and plan details may be changed or discontinued at any time without notice. Ask about other payment options. The beagles also serve as ambassa Major Appliances Department excludes vacuums and sewing machines dors o f the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said Oliveira. "People associ ate beagles with food and plant inspec Sale prices end Saturday, September 13, 2003, while quantities last tion worldwide." Four countries in the world, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, have an international agreement to use beagles for passenger luggage inspections. The dogs are also used in the agency's public education program 5 0 y e a r s of q u a l i t y , v a l u e , s e r v i c e , t r u s t about prevention and awareness o f bringing restricted substances into Sears Oakville Place Mon.-Fri. 10 am-9 pm. Sat. 8 am-6 pm. Sun.11 am-5 pm. Canada. Sears Furniture & Appliance Store Mississauga Mon.-Fn. 10 am-9 pm. Sat. 10 am-6 pm. Sun.11 am-5 pm. "O ur primary role is disease preven tion and pest prevention," he said. " The NO WONDER With extra $50 savings Largest selection of major appliances in Canada Ask about our Price Match Guarantee on national brand major appliances; details in store we're #1 when it comes to selling major appliances in Canada for team Don't pay for one full year on all major appliances when you use your Sears Card NE093MI03 © 2003. Sears Canada Inc.