Since October last year, the dogs have been in field training at Shanghai's two airports, searching for prohibited plant and animal items. In 30,000 pieces of luggage from 67 flights, the dogs identified 49 suspect bags, with an accuracy ratio of 77.5 percent. Trainers said they had passed the examination with a good score.

The dogs were of the British springer spaniel and reacted well to people, said the trainers, adding that under normal circumstances, they would not bark at strangers.

Travelers could be assured that the dogs would work under the control of human inspectors, said an airport official.

Since the beginning of last year, dogs have also used in quarantine inspections at Beijing Capital International Airport.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2003)