For event security, police turn to canines
Along with Democrats and delegates, dozens of dogs will descend on Boston when the convention comes to town at the end of the month. But these canines aren't pets. They're law enforcement.
With a shortage of bomb-sniffing dogs to handle an event that will involve some 35,000 visitors and five days of festivities across the city, Boston police are recruiting canines from federal agencies, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority police.
"The magnitude of the event orders more dogs," said Lieutenant Kevin Foley, a Boston Police spokesman. "There are so many venues to clear from time to time that week. The dog is only good for an hour or so, then it becomes fatigued, so we'll need to bring in new dogs." The dogs will be called on to protect delegates, journalists, and guests attending the convention.
The Secret Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the military are expected to lend dogs to the city during the convention, Foley said. The number of federal canines coming to Boston hasn't been determined, and could fluctuate if emergencies requiring the specially trained dogs arise elsewhere, he said.
A smooth, secure event is the goal of the ATF's 100-dog canine unit, spokesman Jim McNally said.
"These dogs are invaluable to the security effort," he said.
The canine units will be used to search the FleetCenter and other venues occupied by convention participants. Dogs will also investigate any unattended packages, he said.
"If an unfortunate incident did occur, the units can be utilized in a post-blast situation to recover evidence," said Chris Porreca, the supervisor of the bureau's Arson and Explosives Group in Boston. Dogs are also used after explosions to look for secondary devices, he said.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Porreca said, the canine units have become a more visible and important tool nationwide. Four new dogs have been added to the ATF's New England office since the attack to deal with the region's increased need.
The dogs travel wherever they are needed, throughout the world. Murray said the animals travel with their handlers in airplane cabins and stay in their handlers' hotel rooms.
Bureau agent Mike Murray and his canine partner, Rugby, work out of the ATF's Boston office. The two-year veterans, when not working, are constantly training for various security scenarios ranging from crowded shopping malls to sporting and political events. "Our training is incredibly varied to ensure the dog will work with optimal performance when he gets to the field," Murray said.
"You don't usually see the dogs," said Murray. "But they're out there prior to a big event, doing their work to secure the people participating and attending."
In addition to the federal agencies, Boston Police are working in conjunction with the MBTA Police canine unit. Deputy Chief John Martino, a patrol operations officer, said the authority's 12 dogs will be working extended shifts and in conjunction with other agencies to ensure the security of the public transportation system.
"We sweep every day, but more dogs will be visible during the day that week," Martino said.
Some of the 32 dogs with the Massachusetts State Police will also play a role in the security detail, according to Captain Timothy Alben of the Special Tactical Operations unit.
The hard work and stress of travel shouldn't be a problem for the dogs, said Dr. Mary Labato, a veterinarian at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Tufts University. Labato has cared for police work dogs for 10 years.
"Most of these dogs are pros and probably travel more than most people do, going from job to job," she said. "The dogs love to work and they love their job."
