see also: in April 2002:   Congressmen Honor U.S. Customs Employees   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Hidalgo Seize $390,000 in Methamphetamine   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Laredo Arrest Iraqi Fugitive Wanted by FBI in Michigan   U.S. Customs Inspectors, Del Rio, Seize 2,591 Pounds of Cocaine - Largest U.S.-Mexico Border Coke Seizure in FY 2002 To Date   Customs Kids Join Parents on the Job as Part of "Bring Your Child To Work Day" Event   U.S. Customs Service Patrol Officers Seize 1,678 Pounds of Marijuana on Monday   Maryland Woman Arrested for Transporting Over 30,000 Pills ...more on cbp.gov:   Canine Programs

contacts for this news release

San Antonio, Texas - The U.S. Customs Service is looking for a few good noses. Ability to bound in and out of cars and commercial trucks on all fours is a plus, too.

On Saturday, April 6, 2002, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the U.S. Customs Service Canine Enforcement Program is holding a testing event for new detector dogs in the parking lot of Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, located at the intersection of Highway 151 and Loop 410. Sporting breeds are preferred.

"We encourage everyone who has dogs that they would like to donate to stop by on Saturday and consider this worthwhile alternative that will help the U.S. Customs Service continue its anti-terrorism mission," said Gene Garza, acting U.S. Customs Director of Canine Programs.

"We held an event like this several years ago and the public response was incredible, hundreds of dogs were tested as possible candidates for U.S. Customs canines," Garza said. "We are hoping for an excellent response this year."

To promote the effort, U.S. Customs is issuing public service announcements to area media outlets this week announcing the event.

The screening will identify viable, trainable dogs that will help replenish U.S. Customs Canine Enforcement Officers with new canines after their old canines have retired. A canine works an average of seven years and often is adopted by the Canine Enforcement Officer at the end of its term of service.

Once selected, the canines are matched with a Canine Enforcement Officer and undergo a 14-week training at the Canine Enforcement Training Center in Front Royal, Va. From there they are deployed to one of the 301 ports of entry across the United States.