What they can smell are foods that could transport diseases, insects or non-native species into America. The dogs work at airports, cargo terminals, mail hubs, cruise ships, private planes and stations on the Mexican and Canadian borders. Fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, plants. We're very afraid of it coming here because it is such a contagious disease. If we got it here, that would seriously affect our exports.
Most people think of threats to our country as bad guys with guns or bombs.
But just as dangerous can be non-native insects or diseases. The Agriculture Department chose beagles as their weapon against foreign foods and plants for several reasons, Bartnik said. First, the dogs are small, cute and not very intimidating - meaning they won't frighten most people. Max sniffs a duffel bag left near a baggage carousel. Max's journey to the duty of his country began at a dog pound in Maine, from where he was rescued by a beagle group and recommended to the Agriculture Department as a good candidate for a food detective.