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SALT LAKE CITY — The two newest security agents at the Salt Lake City International Airport may look like your average floppy-eared, furry house pets, but they each have real noses for things that go "boom!"
As part of a nationwide enhanced safety effort, the Transportation Security Administration is introducing passenger screening canines in airports across the country to help in the detection of possible explosives by potential airline terrorists. The dogs are specially trained to sniff out explosives or explosive components, said TSA spokeswoman Lorie Dankers.
"TSA considers passenger screening canines as an additional level of security," she said Tuesday. "Passengers at a checkpoint can expect to see a dog working."
The dogs are able to assist agents with expediting the screening process.
"These specially trained canines are able to work around large crowds in a busy transportation environment to pinpoint the source of an explosive odor," said Ronald Malin, TSA federal security director for Utah.
Dankers said the dogs are an effective tool in identifying explosives, which are the "No. 1 threat" to the aviation system. The animals are specifically trained to detect explosive materials, not other contraband.
The canines have previous experience in the military, performing detection duties in combat areas abroad, she said. Prior to joining the TSA, the dog and handler receive 12 weeks of intensive training before being assigned to an airport, along with additional training upon arrival at the new location.
Dankers said the handler is trained to read the dog's behavior when there is an indication of scent recognition. Once alerted, there is an established protocol in place to resolve the alarm.
Across the country, there are 275 canine/handler teams in use at airports nationwide. In Utah, there is Keene — a black Lab named in memory of a World Trade Center victim. The second dog is Benny, a golden retriever who is handled by Thomas Scott.
Scott said Benny started his career as a mine detection dog in the Army before being transferred to TSA, where they became a team.
"If the handler and the dog don't have a solid bond, the dog is not going to want to work for the handler," Scott explained. The two have been together for 2 ½ years, having previously been assigned to Albany, New York.
While what Benny does is an important job to maintain airline safety, Scott says Benny doesn't really think of it as work.
"If you could read his mind, it wouldn't be his job. It would be, "Let's go play," he said. "If I brought him into that (security) line, he'd get excited (and) his tail would start going, and he would sniff everybody that walked by him."
As a reward, Benny gets to play with his favorite plaything called a "wubba" — a chew toy that Scott keeps in a holster on his belt.
"We train extra hard every day to make sure that if something does pass by, we do find it," Scott said.
Dankers noted that TSA trains and deploys various breeds of dogs. But recently, the agency has moved toward "floppy eared" sporting breeds because of their friendly demeanor and appearance, public acceptance, excellent scent capabilities and strong work drive, she said.
"They are unobtrusive when they work. Some people won't even realize there is a dog (around) because of the way the dog behaves," she said. "(People) favorably respond to this kind of dog."
Contributing: Mike Anderson
