Small Dogs Use Soft Touch to Find Drugs

The U.S. Customs Service showed off a specially trained cocker spaniel and two mixed-breed dogs at a news conference Wednesday as part of a new program to detect drugs entering the country via airports.

Customs has used German shepherds and Labrador retrievers for nearly two decades to sniff out drugs and other contraband in checked baggage and cargo holds. However, these aggressive dogs worked behind the scenes and were never seen by the public.

In the new program, the small dogs work among the public, sniffing out drugs on passengers and carry-on luggage. Although the bigger dogs are taught to maul suspicious baggage, these less-intimidating canines sit when they sniff a targeted substance. The passenger is then taken to another room for a more thorough inspection, officials said.