Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

What is the primary function of the Customs and Border Protection detector dogs?

1. Search for drugs

2. Search for animal products only

3. Search for specific pathogens of international concern

4. Search for items that may contain harmful plant pests and animal diseases

The correct answer is: Search for items that may contain harmful plant pests and animal diseases

The primary function of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detector dogs is to search for items that may contain harmful plant pests and animal diseases. These dogs are specially trained to identify a variety of biological materials, including those that could potentially introduce foreign diseases into the country, which poses a risk to agriculture and animal health. Utilizing dogs for this purpose is effective due to their acute sense of smell, allowing them to detect even minute traces of harmful pathogens or other biohazards. This capability plays a critical role in safeguarding domestic ecosystems and agricultural industries from the introduction of invasive species or infectious diseases that could result from international trade and travel. The other options, while they may involve activities carried out by various enforcement animals, do not encompass the comprehensive focus of CBP detector dogs on biosecurity. The emphasis on harmful plant pests and animal diseases underscores the broader mission of protecting public health and the economy from potential threats posed by the movement of goods across borders.