Let sniff the Dogs of War for illegal drugs and guns

Aug 10 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

Let sniff the Dogs of War for illegal drugs and guns

THE newest recruits in the battle against crime were unveiled at Liverpool’s Albert Dock complex yesterday.

Customs and Excise officers showed off the sniffer dogs which are working on the front line to hunt out drug smugglers, guns and terrorists.

But as well as their ‘day jobs’ the dogs will also be on regular guard at Albert Dock this summer.

The highly-trained trained canines will be visiting the Custom and Excise Museum at the dock throughout August for a series of demonstrations about their work within the region’s airports, sniffing out criminals.

The dogs, accompanied by expert customs handlers, will be on show and talks will offer a rare opportunity to ask questions about how they operate on a daily basis.

Mary Roberson, education and events officer at the museum, situated inside Merseyside Maritime Museum, said: “Most people will only see the dogs when travelling in an airport, and do not have time to think about the part they play.

“The dogs love it too because of the attention – it gives children the chance to stoke them and say hello.

“There is the chance to ask questions about training and the work they do, people can be intimidated when they have not met the dogs or the people involved.”

The dogs, which normally work within airports, will take it in turns to visit the museum and six will be on show in total. Each demonstration lasts 20 to 30 minutes.

This weekend families will also get the chance to see what surprise creatures live in the dock, with Dockwatch.

The event uses remotely operated cameras to peer into the water and uncover jelly fish, Korean sea squid, sea gooseberries and other hidden marine life.

Specimens will also be brought out of the dock for closer inspection. The Customs and Excise Museum has teamed up with Liverpool Natural History Centre to demonstrate how customs officers search for smuggled goods whilst also highlighting wildlife existing under water.

Sniffer dog demonstrations are running on August 16, 22, and 30 every hour from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

Dockwatch runs this Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm as a drop-in activity that can be joined at any time during the session and both events are free.

FOR details of other events go to www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/customs or telephone 0151 478 4499.

lizawilliams