Did you know that some of the most vital protectors of U.S. agriculture have four legs, floppy ears and an extraordinary sense of smell? That’s right—these defenders are dogs! Known as the Beagle Brigade, these specially trained detector dogs use their remarkable noses to identify items like fruits, vegetables, meat and plants that could introduce pests or diseases. They intercept these items in passenger baggage, cargo and shipments at ports of entry. 

In December 2024, the Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 officially became law. This bipartisan legislation secures funding and formalizes the operations of the National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC), a program managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). 

What the Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 does:   

• Funding Stability: The Act provides long-term financial support for the NDDTC, ensuring uninterrupted training for these critical canine teams. 

• Enhanced Oversight: APHIS is now required to submit regular reports to Congress on emerging agricultural threats and strategies to improve the detector dog program. 

Every year, invasive pests and diseases pose significant risks to U.S. agriculture, costing billions of dollars in damages and threatening the nation’s food supply. The Beagle Brigade’s work is essential for identifying and stopping some of these threats before they can spread. 

By providing these loyal and hardworking dogs with the resources and training they need, the Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 represents a major step forward in protecting U.S. agriculture and natural resources.