Douglas County Shelter Beagle Will Soon Protect U.S. Border

DOUGLASVILLE, GA – A former stray dog picked up by the side of the road only over one year ago, and held as a resident at the Douglas County Animal Services shelter, is now one of four beagles chosen to help protect the United States border from illegal agricultural items.

Chipper, a stray beagle, was rescued on April 11, 2018 in Villa Rica, and was chosen for training on April 16, 2018 by the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Douglas County Animal Services received word that Chipper has completed his training at the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service headquarters in Newnan, Georgia.

“Going from being a stray to a job where you help protect the borders of your country shows the success of the collaboration between Douglas County, our state and federal government behind the scenes operating,” said Rick Martin, director of Communications & Community Relations. “I’m inspired and hope a lot of people are just as inspired and encouraged by this story.”

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“We are thrilled and excited at this news because often people do not get to see the outcome of their support and generosity to County Services such as Douglas County's Animal Services,” said Dr. Romona Jackson Jones, chairman of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. "I believe this is a significant example of positive results when you have a hard-working staff as we do in Douglas County.

A graduation and pinning ceremony for Chipper and three other beagles discovered from Atlanta metropolitan area shelters will occur on Thursday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the National Detector Training Center, a 17 acre facility located in Georgia that holds training for all detector dogs for agriculture in the United States and foreign countries interested in having their dog trained. Once the dogs graduate, they are paired with students and will eventually operate at seaports and airports.

Dr. Romona Jackson Jones, Chairman of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and the rest of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners along with Director of Douglas County Animal Services Frances McMillan and her staff, are celebrating some news Douglas County just received.

Beagles are known for being strong scent hounds and are the preferred breed of dog for agricultural inspections. Chairman Jones, District 1 Commissioner Henry Mitchell, III, Vice Chair and District 2 Commissioner Kelly G. Robinson, District 3 Commissioner Tarenia Carthan and District 4 Commissioner Ann Jones Guider make up the Board of Commissioners for Douglas County located just 20 minutes west of the City of Atlanta.