see also: in April 2004:   European Community and Department of Homeland Security Sign Landmark Agreement to Improve Container Security and Expand CSI   Fast Dedicated Lane Opens at Champlain, NY   CBP Border Patrol Agents Disable Drug Smuggling Operation   Commissioner Bonner Dedicates Fast Lane In Laredo   U.S. Customs And Border Protection Officers Arrest Wanted Fugitive Stolen Car And Weapons Cache Seized In Blaine   Advance Electronic Transmission Of Inbound Rail Cargo Data   U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Commerce Department Sign Agreement for Use of Data ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Washington, D.C. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today announced its nomination for this year's "Paws to Recognize" program. "Trouble," a 6-year-old Agriculture Detector Dog was selected as the 2004 nominee because of the significant number of prohibited agricultural items he has seized from international passengers. The program showcases the valuable contributions that some 15,000 professionally trained service dogs make to our lives every day. Last year, another CBP enforcement canine, "Crazy Joe," was nominated and was honored at a ceremony last August as the top U.S. service dog in the worldwide competition.

CBP has the most canine enforcement dogs and officers of any federal law enforcement agency in the United States, with the teams numbering around 1,200. On March 1, 2003, inspectors from U.S. Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture and Agents from U.S. Border Patrol were unified under CBP. Creating one agency with responsibility for our borders linked four very different canine programs including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service' (APHIS) 133 canine teams, also known as the Beagle Brigade.

"The U. S. Customs and Border Protection Canine Enforcement program is growing and is aimed at combating terrorism. This year's candidate, "Trouble," has been trained to prevent agroterrorism," said Commissioner Robert C. Bonner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "Threats to agriculture from harmful pest and diseases are real, and costly. With increases in international travel, there are mounting threats to America's agriculture industry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection's detector dogs are an important tool in meeting the challenge to detect and intercept those threats."

"Trouble" began his federal career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2001 after being procured from a Texas animal shelter. He is a proud member of the elite Beagle Brigade at Miami International Airport. "Trouble" and his partner Canine Officer Sherrie Ann Keblish are helping safeguard America's agriculture resources by intercepting prohibited fruits, vegetables, meats, and animal byproducts that could introduce foreign pests or diseases into the United States.

"We make a great team," stated Officer Keblish. "We've been together for the past 3 years and have built a strong bond. He is not only one of the finest detector dogs, but a great companion. "Trouble's" enthusiasm starts very early in the morning and is contagious. He is always ready to work."

"Trouble" and his handler have seized 1,834 prohibited items; which includes, 1,541 plant seizures, 697 animal product seizures totaling 853 pounds of meat. "Trouble" and Officer Keblish recorded 115 notable interceptions and prevented a potential disaster for Florida's citrus industry. Most recently, "Trouble" sniffed out a quince fruit, carried as part of a passenger's lunch, which was infested with 20 Mediterranean fruit fly larvae. This was the second time that "Trouble" found the Mediterranean fruit fly. "Trouble" also intercepted Caribbean-fruit flies. "Trouble's" contributions help prevent foreign pests and diseases from entering our country which could damage agricultural crops or cost American taxpayers millions of dollars to control or eradicate.

"Following in "Crazy Joe's pawsteps as this year's Customs and Border Protection nominee would be a daunting task for most dogs but not this one. With his seizure record it is no wonder the other officers say ... 'here comes Trouble,'" concluded Commissioner Bonner.

For more information on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Canine Enforcement Program, visit our web site at www.cbp.gov, click on the enforcement block, top right, and then on canines.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation's borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.