Border Patrol Beagle Retires After 17,000 Busts, Including Illegal Rhino Skin, Goat's Head

Monica Sanchez | September 30, 2016
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(Image via U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Thursday retired CBP Agriculture K-9, Jasper, an eight-year-old beagle who dutifully served over five years with the federal law enforcement agency.  

Jasper had a colorful career with CBP. Since 2011, he's had a total of 17,167 seizures, intercepting 23,485 prohibiting plant and animal products.

“Among Jasper’s most memorable discoveries are rhinoceros skin, bear meat, whale meat, a goat’s head, live turtles, and a plant seizure that changed the regulation regarding the importation of citrus fruit from the Dominican Republic,” writes CBP in a press release.

To the delight of everyone in the agency, Jasper has found a forever home with his handler, CBP Agriculture K-9 Specialist Amanda Tripple.

“At the end of their shift, Amanda took Jasper around CBP’s area within the airport,” Canine Deputy Chief Gary Walck said. “Since Jasper officially became a pet, he was led around the workplace without his CBP vest and employees were allowed to pet him. Jasper loves interacting with people. He enthusiastically enjoyed all of the extra attention that he received on his last work day before heading into retirement."

"Jasper was a great detector dog and will be missed by all,” he said.

According to CBP, “Jasper is adjusting well to retirement, with the exception of digging through the garbage and expecting a treat when he positively alerts.”

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