In the middle of a military base outside Mexico City, an army colonel runs what he calls a kindergarten for dogs.
Puppies that one day will become rescue dogs, or sniffer dogs for drugs or explosives, get their basic training here, at Mexico’s Army and Air Force Canine Production Center. The puppies are born and spend their first four months at the facility, before being sent to military units around the country for more specialized training.
The mainly green-and-white, one-story buildings look like any others at the military camp in the State of Mexico, near Mexico City. But the difference here is in the sounds that fill the air: high-pitch barking from dozens of puppies scattered through its maternities and training camps. “We start playing with the dog,” Camacho said. The idea is to draw them to items that trainers call “attractors” — like a ball or a rag — and puppies are challenged to catch them. “Every time it holds his prey, it’s rewarded, congratulated, and it learns to go after that prey, after that attractor,” Camacho added.
A soldier beckons the little dogs with a rag they must capture. The brown puppies with black snouts begin running through the trail, jumping over the rocks and crossing the obstacles. One takes the lead and the second struggles to cross over the plastic bottles, but also finishes. Both go to bite the rag the soldier holds.
Col. Camacho said that some dogs born at the center have been trained to detect fentanyl, a synthetic opioid trafficked by Mexican cartels that has been blamed for about 70,000 overdose deaths per year in the United States.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Valparaiso proposes $52 million city budget, sparks raise debateThe 2024 proposed city of Valparaiso budget includes 2% raises for all qualifying city employees, but the mayor and city council member positions might not receive increases.
Read more »
Wolves end Man City's perfect start with shock winHwang Hee-chan scored the winner as Wolverhampton Wanderers ended champions Manchester City's perfect start to the Premier League season with a shock 2-1 home win on Saturday.
Read more »
Plastic skull being transported for trade show in Mexico halts baggage screening at Salt Lake City airportThe skull was found in a traveler's luggage at Salt Lake City International Airport in mid-September, according to a news release from the Transportation Safety Administration.
Read more »
Birmingham again proves its the City team to beat after routing Granada HillsReigning Open Division champion Birmingham ran its City Section winning streak to 35 games in a rout over host Granada Hills on Friday night.
Read more »
Nine candidates are seeking four University Heights City Council openingsNine candidates seeking four spots on University Heights City Council participated Tuesday (Sept. 26) in a League of Women Voters Candidates Forum.
Read more »
Migrants aboard Mexico cargo trains stranded miles from U.S. borderMigrants were stranded in Mexico on Friday miles from the U.S. border after the freight train they were traveling on top of abruptly stopped, amid the ongoing suspension of dozens of northbound trains over fears around migrant safety.
Read more »