Mine dog study underway in Afghanistan

Islamabad (Office of the United Nations Co-ordinator for Afghanistan), 20 October 2000 -- Noel Spencer, Technical Advisor to the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA), returned from Kabul this week after extensive discussions with Taleban ministries on forthcoming mine dog trials in Afghanistan. The United Nations is requesting permission to use land in Kabul and Paktia Provinces for two years to conduct the trials. Permission from the authorities is expected soon.
The mine dog trials being conducted in Afghanistan are the first of their kind in the world. Part of a three year world-wide study, the trials will result in global standards for the use of mine dogs in de-mining operations around the world.

"Of course we know that dogs can detect mines--our 212 dogs in Afghanistan do this daily," Spencer said. "What we don't understand right now is the full range of their capabilities, and why, for example, a dog might miss a mine. These trials will establish the capability, reliability and limitations of using dogs in de-mining operations."

In these highly specialised technical trials, MAPA will first ensure the trial areas are cleared of mines. Next, about 2,000 fresh mines and tripwires will sterilised to eliminate all human smells before they are put down. The trials will be conducted under controlled conditions, and will take note of all significant factors such as climate and soil types.

Spencer explained that dogs are especially important in de-mining operations because their keen sense of smell helps them to detect minimal metal mines which humans with metal detectors can miss. In addition, while humans must cover every square inch of ground, dogs, guided by their sense of smell, can pinpoint a mine directly.

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian De-mining is supporting the study, with financial assistance from the US government, which will provide expertise in soil and explosive analysis, dog behaviour, and statistics. Despite MAPA's current financial crunch, which has necessitated a slow down in mine clearance in Afghanistan, full funding exists for the trials.

"When the study is complete, the information will mean that de-mining will become faster, safer, and ultimately less expensive," Spencer said.

The Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan is the oldest and the largest mine action programme in the world. In its eleven years of operation, the programme has cleared over 1.2 million explosives from former battlefields, agricultural land, roads, and residential areas. Last year, mine awareness training reached over one million Afghans.

For further information please contact: Noel Spencer, Technical Advisor to the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan, 92 51 2211451 x 653; mobile 0303-786 4630