Barney the bed bug-sniffing basset hound shows off his sniffer. Photo: David Quinn
Barney the basset hound wasn't born to be a bug sniffer.
David Quinn, a five-year veteran of the pest control industry with a soft spot for dogs, initially acquired Barney the basset hound from a puppy-mill pet shop after watching him grow larger and less sell worthy over the course of a few months.
Shortly after adopting Barney, Quinn heard about the skills that certain dogs (especially bloodhounds, a breed to which Barney is closely related) have for detecting termites and bedbugs. Barney's long ears, low-to-the-ground frame and loose jowls make him a natural bug sniffer. Bedbugs, which feast exclusively on human blood, have a distinctive odor that is barely detectable to people but glaringly obvious to dogs like Barney. According to David Quinn's company website, DQ Pest Control, canines are able to sense odors "at concentrations nearly 100 million times lower than humans" and "can identify distinct smells between 1,000 to 10,000 times more effectively" than we can.
After Quinn realized his new best friend might make a wonderful coworker, he sent Barney to one of the most acclaimed scent-hound trainers in the country, David Latimer -- the owner of the Forensic & Scientific Investigations Canine Academy and president of the World Detector Dog Organization. Barney spent six months doing termite and bedbug detection training in Alabama before being joined by Quinn for another few months of training as a team. Barney is now Quinn's partner at DQ Pest Control and sniffs out the nasty critters.
An especially nefarious pest, bedbugs have made a huge global resurgence -- especially in dense, transient cities like New York, where Quinn is based. According to a recent New York Times article, calls to the city government's 311 help line with bedbug complaints increased 19 percent over the last year and, per the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, that tops a 33 percent climb during the previous year.
Luckily, the recent use of sniffer dogs, like Barney, has helped pest control pros pinpoint infestations and has enabled safer sprays to be applied more judiciously. As well, dogs can give an "all clear" when a home has been successfully treated -- a huge comfort to residents who have been under siege by the bloodsucking bugs.
These days, DQ Pest Control has at least one call a week for sniffing work, which costs $300 per inspection -- a bargain considering what indiscriminate pest control can cost -- and the work is increasing.
The best thing about his coworker, says Quinn, is that he is scrupulously honest. "A dog works for love and affection, not money," he tells Paw Nation. Barney, standing at his best friend's feet, agrees with an enthusiastic bark. "And I can always trust Barney to do the job right every single time, unlike most people!"
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Awesome!
Go Barney!!! You're one beautiful basset baby.
Okay, great, but you didn't adopt him, you purchased him. There's a big difference, and don't kid yourself.
Cmon, the dog was going to be put to sleep. Does it really matter if its adopted or paid for? He saved Barney's life most likely. What kind of comment is that? Ive done both and continue to foster cockers. He took the dog in, fed him, and gave him a life. Others are getting rid of theirs. Beating them worse than a car hitting them-Tied to trees!!!!! You name it ...don't kid yourself! He found his best friend, thats all that counts.
Here you can read some sad stories. Just a few ...little over a hundred.
oops!
Okay, it was an alleged petshop. BUT, you ARE aware that even if you "adopt" from a shelter or rescue organization you still pay? Sometimes more than you would at the petshop. If Mr. Quinn hadn't got Barney from this so-called petshop, who knows where he could have ended! Perhaps on the side of the road, injured?
Don't get me wrong, I am totally for adoption...most of my furbys are rescues.
MY only issue is if he knew it was a 'puppy mill', why didn't Mr. Quinn report it?
However, your castigation in this totally unwarrented!
I HAVE A MINIATURE POODLE THAT KILLS WATERBUGS AND OTHER PESTS THAT SNEAK INTO THE HOUSE. SHE ALSO KILLS RATS WHEN THEY SNEAK INTO MY BACKYARD.
i wish we could make all politicains and bankers jobs go away by using dogs!!!
the dogs are honest and arent trying to get more money for themselves, they just do it to help people
Unlike most humans!
dogs should rule the world!!
just kidding, but it would be better than politicians and bankers
greedy bastards
I agree with Lotte...if he knew for a fact he was getting the puppy from a "puppy mill", his first responsibility AFTER purchasing the dog was to REPORT the business and get it closed down. Those places are illegal. We closed one here in Lake County last year. But most important, Barney was saved and got a good home.
The so called puppy mills, you are all talking about are not illegal. As long as they meet the requirements for proper care and maintenance of the dogs. I don't like puppy mills, but they are not illegal therefore there is nothing to report. "Puppy mill" is a term applied to people who breed and sell dogs just to produce puppies. The dogs are seldom kept as pets, and parents are sold jor put down after having several litters. There is a big difference when compared to true dog breeders who are involved in showing and improving the breed by carefully screening all breeding dogs for genetic disorders. The puppies are never sold to pet shops, and only sold to homes after all members of the families are screened, fenced yards are required, and a signed contract to spay/neuter, and to return the dog if the owner can no longer keep the animal. The old dogs are kept as pets, and remain with their owners as part of the family. Most breeders are also affiliated with a rescue group for their breed to help find homes for abandoned dogs of their breed. "Adopt" is often used to mean "Purchase to be part of the family" because they think is sounds more loving.
puppy mills are not illegal!!!
what IS illegal is how they are ran!!!!
They only make it harder for the owners to ...i dont know. They tightened the laws in PA, I know cause i helped transfer them. The laws are only to deter the rotten people from damaging animals. Cleaner stalls, less crowded ...cages? Its horrible i know, however not illegal. They just have to be kept cleaner and provide a more appropriate housing.
The same people who made the laws are ___________-fill in the blank!!! For one thing, not making them illegal!
These animals i have helped transfer are from law-abiding people that wont/refuse to update their facilities. Good for them! Or- wait- good for the animals?
The puppy mills are disgusting because they often get tired of breeding or cannot sell older pups, and call the breed rescue groups to take their unwanted animals, after a lifetime of no socialization or training. The reputable breeders end up taking care of the puppy mill cast offs. Since the puppy mills sell to anyone and don't screen for genetic issues, many of the animals end up in rescue with health issues, or after being abandoned or abused
you couldnt be more right!
Never see the light of day-Not used to their food in a bowl-uugh! horrible!
That's great the pooch can be taught a useful trade, if he had oposable thumbs and a voice, he could get a job! But what does he do on his day off? he can;t just lay around acting lazy, that's his Job!
Puppy mills are only illegal if they abuse or neglect the dogs, keep them in crowded conditions or filth, do not groom the animals, and withhold veterinary care. There is no way the guy who bought the bassett would know that, since he got it at a pet store. Since reputable breeders never sell to pet stores, the dog would have come from either a puppy mill, or some poor family selling a few pups to put food on the table. Sadly, there are people living in poor areas without much work, where some pet shops contract them to raise puppies, giving them about $100 per pup, then selling them at the pet store for $500+. As much as I hate puppy mills, the vast majority of animals in the shelters are from dogs left to run loose, who are not spayed or neutered, or from idiots who think their cute little mutt would make really pretty puppies if breed to their friends cute little mutt. Sadly too many people buy or get cute little puppies forgetting it is like taking care of a child. Puppies cry, eat, poop, pee, and chew on whatever is handy. It takes time and effort to train them, and they live for 14+ years. If you don't own your home, or your home situation is uncertain, it is not a good time to get a puppy.
Actually, the story says "puppy mill pet store", which isn't a well-defined term. I assume they meant a pet store that gets its puppies from puppy mills, which is common (legitimate breeders won't sell to pet stores). He couldn't report the "puppy mill" if he bought the puppy from a pet store, he probably never even knew where it came from. And he couldn't report the pet store if it's just a legal pet store. Regardless, most animal rights groups recommend against buying from pet stores; even if it looks like you're rescuing some poor dog from unpleasant conditions, it still encourages the puppy mills.
i agree 100%
But ...dont they all need a home? Isnt that the purpose? Who knows! My dog came from a store. had papers and parents, never followed through. Its my dog, and she is smart as hell! Is that a 100% true? breeders dont sell to stores? Whats with the papers then? Shes not worth more money to me, shes worth everything to me. 11 years strong!
A Basset Hound is truly a rare breed: stubborn and self relient, but with a wonderful seperation anxiety instinct. I had one for several years, she's gone but never forgotten!