The Rescue Dogs that Protect Florida’s $120 Billion Agriculture Industry

Randall Weiseman Citrus, Florida, General, Industry News Release, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops

From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Protecting Florida’s $120 billion agriculture industry requires an integrated approach, including the expertise of several four-legged helpers. During the dog days of summer, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is showcasing its lesser-known staff members—rescue dogs trained to detect invasive pests and disease.

“Dogs’ keen sense of smell is a crucial tool for our early detection efforts to identify invasive pests and disease that could threaten Florida’s agriculture industry,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.

Among the many tools the department employs to detect, monitor and eradicate pests and disease are six working dogs. From patrolling private parcel facilities to distinguishing giant African land snails (GALS) from 130 other types of terrestrial snails for eradication, these dogs work every day to protect and defend Florida’s agriculture industry. Some recent noteworthy discoveries include: olive fruit fly larvae, root mealybugs, GALS and other unauthorized plant materials.

Here is more information on the dogs that defend the agriculture industry:

• Audi is a six-year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever rescue dog who patrols parcel facilities in Orlando, Tampa and Miami.

Audi and Greg Farina at the Epcot Flower Show

Audi and Greg Farina at the Epcot Flower Show

• Bear is a five year-old Labrador Retriever-mix rescue dog whose sole mission is to detect GALS, which are considered to be one of the most damaging snails in the world, in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Bear was the first to discover giant African land snails on a functioning agricultural plot property.

• Jammer is a six-year-old Labrador Retriever who patrols private parcel facilities, primarily in South Florida.

Jammer on-duty in a parcel facility

Jammer on-duty in a parcel facility

• Kojak is a seven-year-old Labrador Retriever-mix rescue dog who inspects parcel facilities in Ft. Myers, Tampa and Orlando for invasive pests and disease.

• Sierra is a four-year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever rescue dog who single-handedly quadrupled the number of live giant African land snails found on a property following a snail outbreak in Broward County.

Sierra and Omar celebrating a giant African land snail find

Sierra and Omar celebrating a giant African land snail find

• Verde is an eight-year-old Labrador Retriever who works in Miami, Hollywood, Homestead and Miramar postal facilities to detect invasive pests. Verde recently helped discover a scale insect species native to Africa that is potentially new to science.

To access a video of Sierra and Bear detecting giant African land snails, click here: https://youtu.be/GEJZDAkFJwA

The agriculture industry supports more than 2 million jobs and produces approximately 300 commodities. There are 47,600 farm operations in the state, covering more than 9.5 million acres of land. Invasive species cost Florida $100 million per year.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.