Australia : Tuesday, 22 February 2011 (Local Time)
Bulla Trained sniffer dogs are set to play a key role in security and customs operations in Australia and abroad with the announcement of a $24 million specialist dog training centre at Loemans Rd.
The 9.3ha complex will house the Customs and Border Protection Detector Dog Program and up to 250 training puppies.
Hume councillor Jack Ogilvie said the announcement was a coup for Bulla.
“It is a great use of the (38.4ha) site. Because of the overlays (airport and green wedge), it is limited as to what can go there,” Cr Ogilvie said.
“Anything that creates jobs for the Sunbury region is always welcome.”
Federal Home Affairs minister Brendan O’Connor said it would be the first time the Customs and Border Protection Detector Dog Program would co-locate breeding and training.
“By locating the breeding and training facilities in one place, Customs will be able to streamline its operations and provide the best quality care and training from each puppy’s birth to its deployment into the workforce,” he said.
“The labradors can be trained to identify drugs, firearms, explosives and other restricted items and alert their handlers to the risk in a safe way.”
The centre will include dog kennels, open areas, a veterinarian centre and simulated environments such as a mock baggage conveyor belt and mock homes.
Mr O’Connor said Australian-bred and trained sniffer dogs were sought-after worldwide.
“The program has now grown to become a world leader with nearly 2000 puppies being born since 1993,” he said.
Detector dogs trained at Bulla are set to work for Customs and Border Protection, the Australian Federal Police and state and territory police forces, as well as international Customs agencies in Japan, Thailand, China, Samoa, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The program will shift from a centre by the Melbourne airport with the Bulla site to be complete by 2012.
Story and Foto from : www.sunbury-leader-whereilive.com.au (reported by Kelly Sammut)
