(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-06-04 07:15

Some 160 sniffer dogs from across the country are being sent to Beijing to help bolster public security efforts before and after the upcoming Olympic Games.

The canines, which will be primarily used to seek out explosive devices and materials, will add to the 44 sniffer dogs already working in the capital.

After a one-month intensive training course in Beijing, the canine bomb detectors, are expected to serve at key public places, including Olympic venues, logistics centers, and at the airport and subway stations.

Twenty-eight dogs will come from Guangdong province, 20 from Heilongjiang, 17 from Henan, 17 from Guizhou, 14 from Yunan, eight from Gansu and six from Qinghai, according to media reports.

The canine crew will comprise seven breeds, including German Shepherds, English Springer Spaniels and Labradors.

According to one newspaper report, the most valuable of the sniffer dogs is worth about 200,000 yuan ($29,000).

Twenty-eight handlers from Guangdong arrived with the dogs, the report said.

The only woman handler is Ke Tingya who works with Congcong, a Golden Retriever.

"We've been working together for more than two years," Ke said.

"Congcong is careful with every object, and he has worked at a number of big events, including the China Import and Export Fair."

The hounds will aid the Ministry of Public Security's efforts to counter terrorist activities at the Olympics. In April, the ministry scuppered attempts by two terrorist groups in Xinjiang, alleged to have been planning to kidnap foreigners and conduct suicide bomb attacks.