This past week saw the retirement of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) narcotics detector Miky–an official drug dog of the port of entry in International Falls, Minnesota.
Miky has served for five years. CBP K-9 dogs typically last no longer than eight years. Such animals were first introduced in 1970 in an effort to combat narcotics being smuggled through various ports, and have since become a common sight at places where screening of aircraft, cargo, baggage, mail, ships, vehicles and passengers are required.
Miky, like all drug dogs, came into his role young. While CBP has no gender requirements for its dog, it does have an age requirement: they must be between one and three years old when their training begins. Those not raised from the CBP’s own K-9 breeding program are taken in from animal shelters, humane societies and rescue leagues.
Miky, who has served since 2012, will be going home with his partner, CBP Officer Pete Benedix, who adopted him for his retirement.