The Arica and Parinacota region, northern Chile, says goodbye to "Keeper", the Best drug-detecting dog Chile has ever had who died at the age of 15 after a decade of work in the National Customs Service, where his actions led to the seizure of more than four tons of drugs.
According to the Customs statement, Keeper was born on July 11, 2005, and his owner had to travel abroad, so he donated him to Customs when he was just a puppy. After an evaluation, he showed innate conditions and was trained by Customs specialists, becoming the best drug-detecting dog in the country.
In September 2015 he retired. and through a ceremony he received a medal of merit for his outstanding work.
The regional director of the Arica Customs, Fernando Rousseau, said that Detector dogs are pieces Key to the inspection work carried out by customs officers, "however, they are more than a support tool or a technique, they are true friends and colleagues who share with their guides and with all the officials. The dog and its guide generate a relationship of friendship and companionship that is reflected in the successes they achieve.
In the case of Keeper, Rousseau adds, "there is a special recognition for his numbers that have not yet been surpassed, but there is undoubtedly affection for all the shifts and spaces he shared with his human colleagues. His departure only serves to remind us of his figure and all the joy he generated."
After finishing his work at Customs, the dog was left under the care of his handler, who for health reasons had to hand him over to an adoptive family who housed him during his last years on a plot of land in Azapa. The dog spent his last years there and was buried there.
Among the Most notable actions The dog is accused of participating in the detection of 637 packages with 822 kilos of cocaine that were hidden in a shipment of wood that was coming from Bolivia and was destined for France. This action took place in May 2015.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
