New Federal Police dog facility

A new canine kennel facility for firearm and explosive detection dogs has been opened by the Australian Federal Police at Murwillumbah in the Tweed Valley of northern NSW.

The kennel facility is the first of nine federal police canine facilities to be opened near major airports across Australia.

It was built through the federally funded Project Jupiter, part of the Australian Government’s $200 million funding to strengthen security at Australian airports. The remaining eight canine kennel facilities at other locations across Australia will be completed by the end of 2013. The firearm and Explosive detection dogs housed at the new facility in Murwillumbah will work at Gold Coast Airport. Their work will involve supporting aviation security measures including checking facilities, aircraft, baggage and freight.

AFP National Manager for Aviation Assistant Commissioner Shane Connelly said the detection dogs were an integral part of the AFP’s airport policing capacity.

“This new facility will provide a new home and vital training for our canine team and enable the AFP to continue to provide first-rate security at Gold Coast airport, and will continue to ensure the AFP is unwavering in its provision of security and safety for passengers and visitors to Australia’s major airports”.

The facility consists of 10 overnight kennels, two isolation kennels to house sick dogs, plus six day runs. There is a veterinary treatment room and an adjacent agility area. The canine facility has been designed in accordance with the AFP’s requirements to be environmentally friendly, including natural ventilation for kennel areas, contains heating and cooling systems, and rainwater collection and reuse for irrigation.

Forty-six firearm and explosive detection dog teams as well as 10 currency and drug detection dog teams operate at major airports across Australia. The firearm and explosive detection dogs are a specialist component of the AFP’s role at airports, with the dogs being highly skilled as well as acting as a visible deterrent.

Federal Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor said the detection dogs played an important role.

“Our current aviation security is among the best in the world and this new facility will further enhance our capabilities in this area”.

Further abroad, AFP officer Narelle Jensz who has been stationed in the Afghan base of Kandahar training local police has been doing her bit to help and treat injured and stray dogs as well. Jensz has become known for her efforts to treat injured dogs as well as re-homing stray dogs.

Jensz went to extraordinary lengths to help a dog known as Wylie who had been subjected to several acts of cruelty and abuse. Wylie was rescued by British soldiers who saw the dog been beaten by a crowd of locals. Jensz treated Wylie’s injuries and he recovered, however he later received further horrific injuries at the hands of local dog-fighters.

Jensz organisedfor Wylie to be evacuated to London with the help of a British and a US soldiers’ animal companion fund.

Once Wylie finishes quarantine requirements, Jensz hopes to bring him home to Australia to her property just outside Canberra.
PHIL TUCAK

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