U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was joined earlier today by officials of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Bangor Police Chief Ron Gastia in a press event at the Bangor International Airport to announce and demonstrate Maine's new explosives detection canine team. The team, which includes three dogs and their handlers, will benefit both the airport's homeland security efforts and local law enforcement. Senator Collins helped bring the dogs to Maine by working with TSA Administrator Kip Hawley and she secured $150,000 in grant funding to help with the feeding and care of the dogs.
While the dogs are housed in Bangor, they will be used throughout the state for homeland security and law enforcement purposes.
Senator Collins said, “I am pleased that three of our state's newest residents have four legs and a tail.” She thanked TSA administrator for following through on his promise to bring the canine teams to Maine and for committing critical funds to help with the care of the dogs.
Bangor Police Chief Ron Gastia thanked Senator Collins for her commitment and support to the law enforcement and homeland security efforts of Maine.
Also joining today's event was Michael Prendergast, who oversees TSA's canine program.
To demonstrate how the dogs detect explosive material, dog handlers hid small bags of explosive material in bags in the airport, which one of the dogs quickly located.