A long-serving Australian Border Force (ABF) detector dog has hung up his specialist dog boots, retiring after six and a half years of service protecting the border.
Throughout his career, Murray has prevented a range of prohibited goods from entering Australia, including a stand-out 172 detections of undeclared and illicit currency totalling more than $3.3 million as well as 15 firearms.
Together with his handler, Murray has been deployed across Australia's airports, seaports, and international mail gateways, routinely tasked to search luggage, parcels, mail, cargo containers, as well as aircraft and people.
The veteran eight-year-old canine commenced specialist training while still a young puppy to help prepare him for future life as an operational detector dog.
As part of his distinguished career, Murray has regularly worked at both Melbourne Gateway Facility and Melbourne Airport, as well as in post-border environments, assisting with ABF-led search warrants, including for partner agencies.
ABF Acting Superintendent, Allan Scott, said that Murray's contribution to protecting the community from threats posed at and beyond the border was cause for celebration.
“Murray has been a remarkable detector dog for the ABF – he has always displayed a high level of discipline and has been intensely focused on any task set before him" Acting Superintendent Scott said.
“Our star canine will leave large boots to fill, however, our DDP program continues to develop some of Australia's, and the region's, most capable dogs when it comes to border protection."
At three months of age, before being tasked to help protect Australia's borders, the ABF's Breeding and Development team played a leading hand in helping Murray prepare for life as a working dog.
Commencing training at the ABF Detector Dog Program's national headquarters in Victoria, Murray underwent a rigorous selection process to evaluate his ability to work in demanding environments. He successfully completed a six-month training course and passed operational assessments to determine his suitability for the mission and the talent to detect concealed odour.
ABF Inspector, Breeding and Development, Brett Matthews, said that detector dogs that fulfil their post at retirement having served Australia, were at one point also dependent on community members who first welcomed them into their homes.
“Early on, Murray was linked with our foster carer network, aimed to assist with his socialisation and development and to set him up for success in his later working life," Inspector Matthews said.
“We share a strong relationship with our community and value the commitment of foster carers who really help dogs such as Murray to serve at the border alongside our officers.
“We'd urge anyone who is thinking about becoming a foster carer not to hesitate for a minute – it's hugely rewarding given the knowledge that by fostering a detector dog, you're helping keep Australia safe."
All ABF detector dogs are bred, developed and trained at the National Detector Dog Program in Melbourne.
The ABF Detector Dog Program plays a significant role in helping to protect Australia by detecting prohibited or regulated goods such as narcotics, firearms, explosives, tobacco and currencies at or beyond the border.
Accredited as a World Customs Organisation (WCO) Regional Dog Training Centre (RDTC), the DDP contributes to this strategic partnership alongside member Customs Administrations by providing support to global and regional projects and initiatives, including international capacity building.
For more information on the ABF's detector dog program, visit: Detector dog program
Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer is urged to apply now through the online foster carer application. Further information is available at abf.gov.au/detectordogs
Media contact: media@abf.gov.au
