Could dogs be trained to detect anthrax spores?
The Question:
Dear Jessi,
My employer and I were discussing the possibility of training dogs to sniff out anthrax. Is this a possibility? We are aware that they can take antibiotics and currently have the ability when trained to sniff out drugs, bombs, etc.
Are there dogs that are already trained in this area? I understand that you are busy and this is a curiosity more than an inquiry. Thank you for your time and possible response. You have a great site!
The Answer
I’m fascinated by your suggestion. While I have no specific knowledge of the properties of anthrax, I think it’s highly possible that dogs could be used to detect either anthrax spores themselves, or the substances used to contain them. Dogs are currently used to detect cancer melanomas and predict epileptic seizures, so anthrax doesn’t seem like a long shot.
What I’m not sure about are the medical implications for the dog. One would have to consult a veterinarian and/or perhaps a medical doctor about the risks of exposure. Anthrax most commonly occurs in animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, etc., but I don’t know if dogs are suceptible to it.
If the dog were being used to search mail, it’s possible that he would not be exposed to the actual spores….drug detection dogs can sniff out drugs without actually consuming or inhaling them in the process.
I don’t know if any dogs are currently trained to detect anthrax. Any government dog trainers out there who want to look into this?
This article written and copyrighted 2001 by Jessi Clark-White. All rights are reserved, and this article may not be duplicated in any manner without written permission from the author.
