Dogs use their keen sense of smell to help humans every day. Their powerful noses alert us to danger, aid in search and rescue operations, and even have the potential to diagnose diseases. But did you know that some dogs have been trained to sniff out harmful invasive pests? Enter the detector dogs!
What do detector dogs do?
Detector dog teams are stationed in several counties across California to help find invasive pests hitchhiking in packages and cargo. The dogs go through many weeks of training with their handlers, learning to sniff out materials that could harbor invasive species including fruit, plants, and soil. On the job, dogs alert their handlers if they smell these target odors inside packages. Trained biologists then inspect the packages for pests like insects and plant diseases that could be harmful to crops or the environment. The Detector Dog Team Program is a cooperative effort between the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), County Agricultural Commissioners (CAC), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Meet Owen, San Diego County’s fuzziest employee
Owen, a five-year-old black lab mix, and Melissa Sinkovits, a Senior Agricultural Standards Inspector, are a detector dog team serving San Diego County. A typical day on the job for them involves an early start, arriving at package delivery facilities around 6 a.m. After the detective work is done, Owen takes a well-deserved nap while Sinkovits does paperwork. Then, it’s on to light training to keep Owen up to speed and interested in his work. Every workday includes enrichment time for him to play, go for walks, and just be a regular dog.
Sinkovits’ favorite part of her job (aside from spending time with Owen) is helping the community in a unique way. As for Owen, he’s in it for the fame. “Owen is thrilled to be doing what he’s doing. He also gets a lot of attention at all the facilities we go to. He has a lot of friends and a lot of fans,” Sinkovits says. He often receives cheers and applause from his fan club when he finds something, and he loves it. Some of Owen’s most interesting finds include treasures like truffle mushrooms from Bulgaria, a bag of wet pickleweed, and a box of moss, each inspected and sent on to their destinations.
Canines making a difference, and how you can help
From 2022 to 2023, California Detector Dog Teams intercepted 863 significant invasive pests, including Asian citrus psyllid, Caribbean fruit fly, and red imported fire ant. More than half of these pests came from unmarked packages, meaning the parcels were not labeled with content and origin–as required for all agricultural products shipped to California. Plant products that violate quarantine regulations or contain invasive pests are disposed of properly, and the sender receives a notification by mail. According to Jasmine Lopez, Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer at San Diego County’s Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures, what makes the detector dog teams invaluable is their ability to find pests in these unmarked packages, which would otherwise be missed. Often, these packages are gifts of fruit from friends and family members who might not be aware of labeling requirements.
Before sending or receiving plant products through the mail, check with your local county agricultural commissioner’s office. Some products, like oranges and other citrus fruits, are under quarantine and should never be mailed to California. Lopez adds that for many purchases, “buying locally is probably the best, especially from certified nurseries that are aware of the requirements for shipping. Third party vendors often don't know the requirements and it's possible their shipments could be affected or seized if not properly treated for pests or diseases. In San Diego County, we work directly with a lot of growers to make sure their requirements are met.”
Resources for Plant and Animal Inspections in California
Looking for more information? Here are some helpful resources:
- Detector Dog Team: Learn how trained dogs help protect California from invasive pests. Visit: Detector Dog Team Website
- Local Agricultural Offices: Find contact details for your county’s agricultural commissioner. Visit: County Agricultural Commissioner Directory
- Bringing Plants & Animals into California: Understand the rules for transporting plants and animals. Visit: CDFA Guidelines on Transporting Plants & Animals