Chevy’s come a long way – from Porirua’s pound to
explosives detector dog in two years.
He’s just graduated from the Police Dog Training Centre after an intensive programme to ready him for a job with the Aviation Security Service (Avsec).
And he’ll start work at Wellington Airport, with his handler Sean Bennett, on Monday.
“Chevy really is the bomb (detector dog) – we’re thrilled to see him doing so well,” says Councillor Kylie Wihapi, who attended yesterday’s graduation ceremony.
“It’s really good to see one of our unwanted pups find such a positive new life. Our Animal Control team work closely with a number of agencies, including Avsec and SPCA, to find homes for the dogs that come in, so this is an awesome result.”
Chevy’s potential was spotted by Porirua’s animal control officers after he was picked up roaming around the streets in February 2016. He was unregistered, hadn’t been microchipped and no one came to claim him.
Animal Control officer Monique Dillion says they noticed something special about Chevy straight away. “He had such a huge play drive and really good recall. We’d hide a chew toy and he’d hunt around the pound for it and, when he found it, he’d bring it back for us to hide again.”
They thought he was about six months old, and, although of mixed breed, was definitely part Labrador. “He was such a gorgeous boy.”
Avsec was contacted and came out to take a look at Chevy. They liked what they saw and took him in for training.
His handler Sean says Chevy is perfect for the job of explosives detector dog (EDD) working in a busy airport – he’s great with kids, loves people, but is calm and quiet and has a lovely temperament.
Chevy has been trained to sniff for explosives and explosive materials to ensure there are none on aircraft or in our airports. He’ll search through car parks, aircraft and throughout the airport and he could be called on to help Police, Customs and Corrections when there are bomb threats.
Monique Masoe, national manager of the EDD unit, says they have strong relationships with animal shelters because of their shared interest in securing the best results– both for the dogs and for the communities they live in.
“The dogs enjoy a great life and do an important job – not just for Avsec, but for the travelling public and airport community,” she says.
Avsec’s EDD unit started in 1992 and now has more than 30 dog teams across the four main airports.
16 Mar 2018
