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Golden paw shake for a Dinky Di Aussie
26 May 2006
Born on Australia Day 1995, the aptly named Quarantine Detector Dog Dinky Di has enjoyed a spectacular career with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).
Donated as a pup by a beagle breeder, Dinky started with AQIS in September 1996, working at Perth Airport before transferring to Adelaide in 2001, where he teamed up with his current handler Kathy Wright, creating a highly effective and loyal partnership.
For nearly a decade Dinky has been diligently going about his work, sniffing out around 23,000 items of quarantine concern including fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, plant cuttings, eggs and live animals, all of which could introduce exotic pests or diseases.
Boasting up to 50 interceptions each week Dinky is a very confident dog who loves to work. Detector Dog Handler Kathy Wright said, “While Dinky is one of Australia’s most effective Detector Dogs, he has an awkward style of sitting and always rests with his legs splayed out, and, often to the bemusement of travellers, he will push himself backwards along the carpet.”
As much as he enjoys protecting Australia's unique environment and agriculture industries, at 11 ½ years of age (80 in dog years), Dinky is chewing over retirement and will soon hand over his working coat to the next generation of border security beagles.
Dinky will work the baggage hall one last time before handing over his coat to his successor, two year old beagle Basil who successfully completed his training last month.
Quarantine Officers from Adelaide Airport will farewell Dinky and welcome Basil at a ‘changing of the guard’ ceremony outside of the International Arrivals gate on Friday 26th of May at 12:00 noon.
Media Contact - Neil Ramsay – AQIS Communications Officer - 0419 864 312
Vision Opportunities – Changing of the coat ceremony and Detector Dogs eating a farewell ‘Dog Cake’
Interview Opportunities – Kathy Wright – Detector Dog Handler
Where - Adelaide Airport, ground floor International Arrivals Gate [adjacent to Hudsons coffee shop.
Born on Australia Day 1995, the aptly named Quarantine Detector Dog Dinky Di has enjoyed a spectacular career with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).
Donated as a pup by a beagle breeder, Dinky started with AQIS in September 1996, working at Perth Airport before transferring to Adelaide in 2001, where he teamed up with his current handler Kathy Wright, creating a highly effective and loyal partnership.
For nearly a decade Dinky has been diligently going about his work, sniffing out around 23,000 items of quarantine concern including fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, plant cuttings, eggs and live animals, all of which could introduce exotic pests or diseases.
Boasting up to 50 interceptions each week Dinky is a very confident dog who loves to work. Detector Dog Handler Kathy Wright said, “While Dinky is one of Australia’s most effective Detector Dogs, he has an awkward style of sitting and always rests with his legs splayed out, and, often to the bemusement of travellers, he will push himself backwards along the carpet.”
As much as he enjoys protecting Australia's unique environment and agriculture industries, at 11 ½ years of age (80 in dog years), Dinky is chewing over retirement and will soon hand over his working coat to the next generation of border security beagles.
Dinky will work the baggage hall one last time before handing over his coat to his successor, two year old beagle Basil who successfully completed his training last month.
Quarantine Officers from Adelaide Airport will farewell Dinky and welcome Basil at a ‘changing of the guard’ ceremony outside of the International Arrivals gate on Friday 26th of May at 12:00 noon.
Media Contact - Neil Ramsay – AQIS Communications Officer - 0419 864 312
Vision Opportunities – Changing of the coat ceremony and Detector Dogs eating a farewell ‘Dog Cake’
Interview Opportunities – Kathy Wright – Detector Dog Handler
Where - Adelaide Airport, ground floor International Arrivals Gate [adjacent to Hudsons coffee shop.