U.S. #4606

2012 65¢ Security Dog

Dogs at Work 

Issue Date: January 20, 2012

City: Merrifield, VA

Quantity: 20,000,000

Printed By: Avery Dennison

Printing Method: Photogravure

Color: Multicolored

Whether sniffing for narcotics and bombs or patrolling the streets, security dogs are a valuable asset to many agencies around the country.

Along the nation’s borders, highly trained dogs search vehicles in a fraction of the time it would take humans to do the same job.  To dogs it is a game of hide and seek, but they are on the lookout for drugs or people trying to enter the country illegally.  Even if the smuggled goods are drenched with perfume or covered with mustard, the dog sticks with the search until he finds what he is after.  The dog knows a successful hunt means it will be rewarded with a game of tug-of-war with the handler.

When a bomb is suspected, canines track down explosives and accelerants – items used to start fires.  They can also find guns by smelling the residue left after firing.  Specially trained dogs are used to search stadiums and auditoriums before large events to insure the area is safe.

A police dog and its handler make up a K-9 unit.    The presence of a police dog can prevent physical harm to the officer.  A growl may cause a suspect to surrender instead of fighting.  

Security dogs help officers do their jobs, risking their lives to keep people safe.