Melissa Cregan Fresno County Deputy Commissioner/Sealer November 6, 2014

Worked as a rescue dog in the Swiss Alps rescuing over 40 people

USDA-APHIS 1984 “Beagle Brigade” 1997 “Border Brigade” 2001 “Cargo Brigade” U.S. Customs & Border Protection 2003 transfer of 75 teams from APHIS to CBP Currently more than 110 CBP agriculture canine teams Provide screening at border crossings, preclearance locations, air passenger terminals, cruise terminals, cargo warehouses, and mail facilities that process international passengers and commodities.

Started in 1996 as a two year pilot program and was extended 3 more years, ending in there were 4 original teams working at the United States Postal Service distribution center in City of Industry 2000 the program had expanded to 11 CDFA teams worked in San Francisco, Los Angeles Basin, and San Diego. Teams consisted of an agricultural biologist, an agricultural technician, and a trained dog. During the 5 year program there were 6,386 interceptions of unmarked packages containing plant material, yielding 1,075 pest interceptions.

Cooperative effort between the USDA, CDFA, and CACASA Pest Surveillance Canine Inspection Teams December Contra Costa (2 Teams*) & San Bernardino California Dog Teams January 2009 Fresno, Sacramento, & San Diego January 2010 Los Angeles (2 teams), San Diego (2 nd team), & Santa Clara January 2011 Alameda, San Bernardino (2 nd team) & San Joaquin FY 2014/15 agreement provides funding for 13 teams, however 3 teams are not currently operating but will be replaced in June 2015 *Funding provided for 1 team in Contra Costa, however the County made up the funding difference until both teams were funded in FY 08/09

“Chelsea” & Stephanie LeBarron

Teams work regionally to conduct surveillance inspections at: Private Parcel Carriers UPS FedEx Air & Home Delivery (Not FedEx Ground) OnTrac Air Freight Terminals United States Post Office First Class Mail requires either a Federal Warrant or consent in order to open and inspect a package. Passenger luggage cannot be inspected under the California Dog Team Program’s cooperative agreement.

Pest Interception Totals per Facility Type USPS: Consent Obtained to Inspect Packages for FY 13/14

Total Parcel AlertsActionable Pest Finds

Total Unmarked Parcel Alerts Violations of Plant Quarantine Laws & Regulations

1999-Present

“Megan” & Stephanie LeBarron “Moss” & Lynell Lane

“Bella” & Stephanie LeBarron ( ) “Bella” & Jo Harper ( )

“Luna” & Patricia Henke

Moving conveyor beltsDelivery trucks

PalletsStacked boxes

Flower shipments from HIWood cuttings

Live Demonstration with Luna and Patti