Bomb-sniffing dogs used on public buses in Jerusalem, Sun Aug 22, 2004
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Sniffer dogs were put into service on public buses in Jerusalem for the first time in a bid to thwart suicide bombers, officials said.
"About 10 teams from the security services of the transport ministry comprising one agent and two animals began operating" in Jerusalem, said an official of the association that trains the dogs.
"The association Pups for Peace, financed by gifts from the Jewish diaspora has specially trained these dogs for five months and they are to be used in other towns," the official, Roni Latan, told AFP.
The dogs are German Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds and Labradors, chosen for their hunting instincts, he said.
"If they detect explosives they must alert the agents and above all must not take hold of the explosive."
The Israeli army and police use bomb-sniffing dogs but it was the first time they have been used on public transport anywhere in the country.
Suicide attacks on buses in Jerusalem have cost the lives of more than 100 passengers in the past 10 years.