ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 1996 TAG: 9610220095
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WOODBRIDGE
SOURCE: Associated Press
The U.S. Customs Service tried to recruit a few good dogs for its war on drugs. But most pet owners apparently thought the agency was barking up the wrong tree.
The Customs Service held its first-ever ``job fair for dogs'' Saturday, inviting people to bring their canines to Fort Belvoir to be evaluated as potential drug-sniffing dogs. Only two dogs were brought in. Both flunked.
The recruitment effort stemmed from a decision by Congress to expand drug patrols. Customs officials said traditional sources - animal shelters and rescue leagues - may no longer be sufficient.
Customs officials had said they hoped to test as many as 100 dogs at the event. They thought their appeal would strike a chord with people who lacked the time, space or energy to care for their dogs and who wanted to donate them to law enforcement instead of giving them to the pound.
They blamed the low turnout on the damp, chilly weather.
But some animal experts said the problem may be that there just aren't many dog owners who are receptive to the agency's pitch.
``It's a whole different thing when you know your dog is going to be a working dog and perform a whole different function,'' said Kate Pulling, director of the Alexandria Animal Welfare League.
Many owners would rather donate their dogs to a place where they may be adopted by another family, she said. Her own group gives away pets to be used only as companions.
Customs officials said the agency needs 300 to 500 more dogs. So they said it made sense to sponsor an event that would attract pet owners.
``Instead of doing it hit-and-miss, we're trying to bring those people together who fit that situation,'' said Carl Newcombe, director of the Customs Service's canine training center in Front Royal.
Officials haven't given up. They will try again next Saturday at Fort Belvoir, and they said other recruitment fairs are planned nationwide.
They are looking for dogs 1 to 3 years old and weighing at least 45 pounds, and for breeds such as Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and German shepherd dogs.
Dogs are tested on their enthusiasm in finding and retrieving a white, rolled-up towel, which later will be scented with drug odors during a 12-week training program.
If they pass, the dogs spend the next seven years working at Southwestern U.S. borders. Once their tour of duty ends, the dogs' handlers get first dibs at adopting them, and then they are turned over to local shelters for adoption.
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