Washington, D.C. -  Police dogs trained to detect drugs and explosives are an essential part of our nation’s homeland security, and those trained in the Third District could be an even larger part of our nation’s security and enforcement efforts, Congressman Mike Rogers said today.

Rogers made the comments after witnessing a live demonstration by trained canines in Washington. The demonstration preceded a hearing entitled “Sniffing Out Terrorism: The Use of Dogs in Homeland Security.” The panel featured Auburn University Associate Provost and Vice President, Dr. C. Michael Moriarty, who spoke on behalf of officials at Auburn’s Canine Detection Training Center at Fort McClellan in Calhoun County.

“These highly trained dogs are an essential part of our homeland security,” Rogers said. “They are one more way we can help fight the threats of illegal drugs and terrorism, and all East Alabama citizens can take pride knowing the Third District is on the cutting edge in helping better secure our homeland.”

Rogers said in the hearing dogs are unique in their abilities. “Research also shows that the part of the brain responsible for processing smell is up to 40 times larger in dogs than in humans,” he said. “Dogs are used to detect explosives, narcotics, bulk cash, and concealed humans…[and] also are being used in search and rescue operations, such as those taking place in areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.”

According to Auburn officials, the Ft. McClellan initiative is the only university-based canine research and training program in the nation that prepares dogs for service in Federal, state and local law enforcement capacities.

Rogers is Chairman of the Homeland Security subcommittee on Management, Integration and Oversight, and also serves on the House Armed Services Committee.