Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How the Beagle Brigade Works
Description
The episode discusses the role of Beagle Brigade, a group of working dogs trained to sniff out agricultural products at international airports. Beagle Brigade dogs are federal agents with the USDA and are tasked with protecting US agriculture from non-native pests and diseases. The episode covers the history of agricultural detection with dogs, the scent tracking abilities of dogs, the training and selection process for Beagle Brigade dogs, the training and evaluation of Beagle Brigade dogs, the work of Beagle Brigade dogs, the retirement and impact of Beagle Brigade dogs, and the risks of illegal trade.
Insights
Beagle Brigade Dogs Protect US Agriculture
The Beagle Brigade plays a crucial role in protecting US agriculture from non-native pests and diseases by sniffing out agricultural products at international airports.
Dogs Have Exceptional Sense of Smell
Dogs have an exceptional sense of smell compared to humans, making them highly effective in detecting scents accurately and distinguishing between different smells.
Training Beagles for Beagle Brigade
The USDA trains Beagles from shelters for their Beagle Brigade, utilizing their natural scent detection abilities for agricultural purposes.
Retired Beagle Brigade Dogs
Retired Beagle Brigade dogs may need time to adjust to a life without work routines, but they can still enjoy their retirement years with their handlers.
Risks of Illegal Trade
Illegal bushmeat trade poses a risk of spreading diseases like Ebola globally, which could potentially lead to a pandemic.
Chapters
- Role of Beagle Brigade
- History of Agricultural Detection with Dogs
- Scent Tracking Abilities of Dogs
- Training and Selection Process for Beagle Brigade Dogs
- Training and Evaluation of Beagle Brigade Dogs
- Work of Beagle Brigade Dogs
- Retirement and Impact of Beagle Brigade Dogs
- Customs Declaration and Risks of Illegal Trade
Role of Beagle Brigade
00:00 - 07:50
- The Beagle Brigade is a group of working dogs trained to sniff out agricultural products at international airports.
- Beagle Brigade dogs are federal agents with the USDA and are tasked with protecting US agriculture from non-native pests and diseases.
- Agricultural products entering the US must go through inspection to prevent the introduction of harmful pests or diseases.
- Invasive species could result in significant economic losses for the US agriculture industry.
History of Agricultural Detection with Dogs
07:21 - 14:52
- Agricultural detection with dogs started in Mexico before being implemented in the US in the early 70s.
- In 1984, the USDA started a successful pilot program at LAX using beagles for detection.
- Dogs have an exceptional sense of smell compared to humans, with dachshunds having 125 million olfactory receptors.
- Dogs like beagles can detect scents accurately and distinguish between different smells effectively.
Scent Tracking Abilities of Dogs
14:25 - 21:47
- Dogs have a highly sensitive sense of smell, being able to detect scents even in very diluted concentrations.
- Different dog breeds have varying abilities when it comes to scent tracking, with some breeds being more adept at it.
- Scent tracking can be a beneficial activity for dogs, especially those that may not excel in obedience training.
- The USDA trains Beagles from shelters for their Beagle Brigade, utilizing their natural scent detection abilities for agricultural purposes.
Training and Selection Process for Beagle Brigade Dogs
21:18 - 28:09
- USDA uses hyper dogs that would otherwise be euthanized for specific tasks, creating a win-win situation.
- Service dogs at the National Detectives training center in Georgia undergo initial screening based on health, temperament, and food drive.
- Dogs are trained to differentiate scents and start with five basic restricted scents like beef, pork, citrus, mango, and apple.
Training and Evaluation of Beagle Brigade Dogs
27:52 - 34:34
- Beagles are trained to detect scents of various items like apples, pigs, and mangoes as part of their training for the Beagle Brigade at airports.
- The training process for Beagle Brigade dogs involves positive reinforcement and can last for about 10 to 13 weeks.
- After graduating from training, Beagle Brigade dogs move to their home base airport where they undergo further evaluation and training for another 10 to 13 weeks.
- Not all Beagle Brigade dogs may adapt well to the chaotic environment of a busy airport, leading some dogs to be reassigned back to their initial training location.
Work of Beagle Brigade Dogs
34:05 - 41:15
- The dogs in the Beagle Brigade are trained to locate contraband items and sit at the bag, using a passive indicating method.
- Beagles in the Beagle Brigade are kenneled overnight near the airport for rest before their workday.
- There are 116 CBP agricultural canine teams with dogs and handlers at every international airport in the country.
Retirement and Impact of Beagle Brigade Dogs
40:45 - 48:09
- A dog named Jasper had an eight-year career at JFK airport seizing various illegal items like whale meat and rhinoceros skin.
- Jasper retired at the mandatory age of eight to enjoy some years of relaxation, and his handler adopted him.
- Retired dogs like Jasper may need time to adjust to a life without work routines, possibly involving daily walks.
- In 2016, the brigade inspected millions of passengers and seized over 1.77 million illegal materials in the United States.
- Specialized dogs, like Jack Russell Terriers on Guam, are trained to detect brown tree snakes to protect indigenous species in Hawaii.
Customs Declaration and Risks of Illegal Trade
47:51 - 54:44
- Travelers need to declare any items they have when going through customs, or face fines and potential jail time for smuggling.
- Illegal bushmeat trade poses a risk of spreading diseases like Ebola globally, potentially leading to a pandemic.
- A listener shared a heartfelt story about how a podcast helped them reconnect with fond memories of their deceased brother while skiing with family.