*Photograph: Arthur Ellis.
SHANNON AIRPORT’s ‘sprocker’ Brody was one of twenty six detector dogs who helped to seize drugs, tobacco products and cash worth over €100m at Irish airports last year.
Brody is a springer spaniel crossed with a cocker spaniel and is one of twenty six detector dogs and a Revenue canine crimefighter who has been instrumental in helping to seize drugs, tobacco products and cash.
Ahead of International Dog Day on August 26th (Tuesday), his feats have been praised in Shannon Airport.
His nose is up to 10,000 times more sensitive than a human, and his “passive response” training means he alerts his handler, Wendy, by calmly sitting and staring when he detects the suspicious scents ofcontrolled or contraband substances including cocaine, hash, amphetamines, heroin and cash.
Before starting a search, Brody begins with a “free run” of the area to get familiar with the environment. Once he’s ready, he heads back to Wendy to signal that it’s time for the focused, methodical inspection he is trained for. Spaniels like him are selected not only for their natural gundog instincts, but also their friendliness, a combination that’s perfect for both detection and public interaction.
Alan Foley, National Detector Dog Programme Manager with Revenue explained, “Brody can screen a person, a bag, or even an entire area in minutes. This allows us to keep legitimate travel moving while swiftly identifying those who shouldn’t slip through.”
Brody’s training to become a top-tier member of the Revenue team started not with drugs, as is often assumed but with a simple ball. That ball became the reward for identifying target scents, helping shape his instincts through focused training followed by eight weeks of bonding and honing his skills with the assistance of his handler, Wendy.
Both Wendy and Brody not only work together in Shannon Airport but they also live together. At home he’s full of energy and loves playtime, especially with Harley—his retired predecessor, who now enjoys a life of leisure.
“There’s this wonderful moment when Brody finds something—he struts, sometimes does a little lap of honour, spiralling back to his handler, and of course he gets extended play time with his beloved ball. It’s his doggie version of the ‘high five’,” Alan stated.
