Mon, Feb 01, 2010
Airport Was Unaware Canines Failed Tests
The TSA is under scrutiny for the
decision to keep several dogs on duty at PHL despite the fact that
they failed to pass certification tests. The decertified dogs
continue to patrol the terminals of PHL as a 'visual deterrent'
while they are in remedial training to detect explosive
material.
"This is totally ridiculous," said Representative Robert Brady,
D-PA, after being briefed by airport and TSA officials. He wrote a
letter asking the TSA "to immediately replace the three dogs on
duty at PHL with certified animals so that passengers and cargo
flying out of our airport can do so safely."
PHL spokesperson Mark Pesce said the airport was not told the
TSA dogs were no longer certified to detect explosives, but there
are other ways to ensure safety. He released a statement
saying "all Airport Police (Philadelphia Police Department) canine
units are unequivocally certified and continue to perform their
normal inspection functions in all areas of the airport including
terminals, aircraft and cargo."
Photo Credit: Flickr/PhillipC
Meanwhile, the TSA claims enough of their 13 canines at PHL are
certified to fill their needs. "TSA can assure the traveling public
that Philadelphia currently has ample canine resources to meet
security requirements," said TSA spokesperson Ann Davis.
"TSA sets the highest canine certification standards in the
federal government," said TSA spokesperson Ann Davis. "As a
result, some failures are expected, however, an established
remediation program helps get these teams back into
compliance."
There is no indication as to how long the TSA's retraining and
recertification program might take nor how many of the canines are
actually needed for safe operations at PHL.
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