Sens. Ernst, Warnock seek more training sought for dog-based animal disease detection

Triggered by a new case of avian flu in Iowa and cases of African Swine Fever in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) have introduced legislation to streamline funding for dogs used to detect animal diseases on cargo.

The National Detector Dog Training Center Act would reinforce training for what is known as the Beagle Brigade, a class of dogs used by federal agents to inspect cargo for unauthorized meat, animal byproducts, fruit, and vegetables that could conceal diseases of invasive pests. Both the dogs and their handlers are employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

“Iowa farmers know the dangers harmful diseases, like highly pathogenic avian influenza and African Swine Fever, pose to our state’s agriculture sector and how critical it is to ensure we do everything we can to keep them out,” Ernst said. “The Beagle Brigade is a key tool in our nation’s toolbox in detecting these serious diseases before they find their way into the U.S., and we ought to ensure this important program gets the proper backing to continue its work.”

Training for dogs and handlers is based at the National Detector Dog Training Center in Newnan, Ga. While an abundance of funding sources currently support these efforts, the new legislation would simplify that support and seek to guarantee the center is adequately funded.

“Protecting Georgia’s agriculture is good for our farmers, good for our economy, and good for the health of our state,” Warnock said. “If we want to continue this important work, Congress needs to pass this bipartisan legislation to give the Beagle Brigade explicit authorization so it can operate for years to come with direct congressional support. I’m grateful to these hard-working dogs and their trainers for their service to Georgia and our country.”

Both Ernst and Warnock are members of the Senate Agriculture Committee.