Detector dog sniffs out insect-infested wood statues at the Toronto Pearson International Airport

News Release

The great work of a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) detector dog and his partner prevented an item infested with foreign insects from entering the country earlier this month.

On October 6, 2017, a CBSA Detector Dog Service (DDS) officer and his canine partner Scout were patrolling the baggage carousel at Terminal One of the Toronto Pearson International Airport. Scout indicated positively on two wrapped packages that had arrived on a flight from Brussels. The traveller and packages were referred for secondary examination. Officers found two wooden statues with animal horns, shells, feathers, bone, claws, and other fibres attached. Upon further inspection the officers noted that the statues had visible signs of insect infestation. The traveller was counselled about the requirement to declare all food, plant, animals and related products and the statues were seized by the CBSA.

The DDS plays an important role in the detection of prohibited or regulated goods entering the country and in assisting the CBSA to fulfill its border protection mandate. Travellers are often unaware foreign and animal products may damage Canada’s food supply, economy, environment and human health. Every traveller entering Canada must declare all goods, including food, plants, animals and related products and ensure they meet all import requirements.

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Quotes

"DDS Officers and their canines work side by side to detect and intercept undeclared food, plant, animal and related products that may pose a threat to the Canadian agricultural industry, and our nation’s economy. Their work is an enforcement priority and an important part of the Agency’s mission.”

 - Nina Patel, CBSA Director Passenger Operations District, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Greater Toronto Area Region

Quick Facts

  • DDS teams are strategically located at points of entry across the county, serving both traveller and commercial operations.

  • Teams work as a pair to ensure that contraband items are not smuggled into Canada by searching people, packages, mail, luggage, vehicles and containers at border points of entry.

  • If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.

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Contacts

CBSA Media Relations
Greater Toronto Area
905-803-2800

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