The work of the Dog Training Center of the Main Customs Administration at Chinggis Khaan International Airport is carried out around the clock, as reported by MiddleAsianNews.
Established in 1993, this center currently includes 53 dogs, of which six actively serve at the international airport, ensuring the protection of Mongolia's borders by checking luggage and detecting drugs and psychotropic substances.
According to Naranbadraha Boldbaatar, the director of the Dog Training Center, service dogs, particularly Malinois, German Shepherds, and Labradors, play a key role in ensuring safety at the air border. He noted that it is with their help that 30–40% of drugs and psychotropic substances at the border are detected. Additionally, he added that Malinois can be trained to recognize about 7000 different scents, making their sense of smell significantly more sensitive than that of humans.
The center's team also pointed out some practical limitations: the average lifespan of a search dog is approximately 12 years, while the active service life is about 8 years. In light of the increasing number of international flights, service representatives noted the need for additional dogs for effective customs control.
Baasandorj Gankhuu, the head of customs at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, expressed the need to include service dogs in breeding programs to increase their numbers. He emphasized that using pairs of dogs during the inspection of passengers and cargo can significantly enhance the efficiency and speed of control.
Bayar Aarbayasgalan, the head of the city council and chairman of the Capital Crime Prevention Coordination Sub-Council, noted that this year special attention will be paid to combating drug trafficking. He also mentioned plans to collaborate with Korean dog breeding programs to improve the quality of search dogs in Mongolia and prevent the import of drugs and psychotropic substances into Ulaanbaatar.
