Border Force Detector Dogs

Tutor/Leader: Marlene Cann
Speaker: Brett Mathews
Location: Sunbury Football Social Club,
Behind Clarke Oval, Riddell Road, Sunbury
Date: 6 Feb. 2025 Thurs.
Time: 10:00 am – 11:45 AM
Delivery: Face to Face
Numbers: 70

We are joined today by Brett Matthews of the Border Force Detector Dog Program.

This Program has been operating since 1968 when two black Labradors were employed in Sydney to detect heroin, opium, hashish and cannabis. Later came two German Shepherd dogs who were so successful that a decision was made to only train German Shepherd puppies.

In 1978 after a review, it was deemed too expensive and slow to train pedigree German Shepherd pups, so a plan to train abandoned dogs was made.
Fast forward to the present day.
Here in Melbourne there is a facility set on 8 hectares of semi rural land, with the capacity kennel 200 dogs, managing multiple litters, with training sessions running concurrently.

Whilst the dogs were only trained to search goods, vessels, aircraft, vehicles and buildings now they are trained to search people at sea and airports too. Their scope of detection has also increased to illicit drugs, firearms, explosives, currency and tobacco.

This is a Guest Speaker not to be missed and one which has been in the pipe line for over 6 months. We are expecting Brett to be joined by one or two dogs so you can not only hear about the program but see it working in action too.