For the Dogs – Federal K-9 Kennels get Safety Upgrades
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to mark the reopening of its canine kennels following renovations prompted by an internal audit that concluded living conditions for the working dogs were substandard.
Introductory and congratulatory statements at the ceremony were made by Jose Aguilar, acting Port Director of CBP; U.S. Rep. Filemon-Vela, D-Brownsville, who assisted in the allocation of the $225,000 that funded the renovation; and Director of Field Operations David P. Higgerson.
“This renovation was a multi-agency effort, and we are happy that this project is completed and are glad to have our canines back at our facilities,” Aguilar said. “We are grateful for the support from our CBP leadership at the Laredo Field Office and our leadership at CBP Headquarters who championed our efforts to get funding approved and have this project come to fruition.”
The 19 kennels, housed in a single corridor, were new and had previously sharp tips dulled and then pointed upwards. Elias Rodriguez, public relations liaison for CBP, said this was done for the canines’ safety.
The kennels were also connected to a wall where a small doorway led to a larger, covered area made up of steel fence and protected by solar screens that make the living areas much less hot. Rodriguez said the larger living area serves to give the canines more room to walk around.
Mounted on the walls are 10 new fans, five new heaters and two new retractable water hoses, all of which were illuminated with new lighting. The plumbing was unclogged, and sealant was added to the floors to expedite cleaning, Rodriguez said.
According to reports, some of the canines suffered from open wounds and were surrounded by their own feces and urine.
“We actually do have high standards,” said Rodriguez, when discussing the temporary locations in Los Fresnos where the canines were placed during renovations.
“We were able to find one vendor that met all the requirements and was approved by CBP at all levels,” Rodriguez said.
The Belgian malinois and German shepherds trained from their canine academies in Virginia were not present at the event because they would bark at the visitors, Rodriguez said.
According to a press release by CPB, this was the first renovation of the kennels since the 1980s.