Detector Dogs Leading the Fight on Biosecurity
When it comes to protecting Australia’s borders, some of the most effective operators aren’t found behind desks or scanning screens, they’re working on four legs.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has announced its 2025 “Top Dog”, recognising the outstanding work of its biosecurity detector dog program, a critical but often unseen part of Australia’s logistics and border protection system.
Meet “Top Dog” Ghost
Detector Dog Ghost, a four-year-old working out of Adelaide alongside handlers Rebecca and Jade, has taken out the top honour for 2025.
And the numbers behind the award are hard to ignore.
Over the past year, Ghost intercepted 3,202 biosecurity risk items, each one representing a potential threat prevented from entering Australia.
These aren’t minor risks. Undeclared food, plant material and animal products can carry serious pests and diseases, with the potential to significantly impact Australia’s agriculture sector, environment and supply chains.
In one recent example, Ghost flagged a suitcase and backpack belonging to an international traveller. Upon inspection, officers uncovered undeclared lotus seeds, fresh bamboo shoots, sesame, salami and even pizza, all items with the potential to carry harmful biosecurity risks, including diseases such as Foot-and-mouth disease. The traveller was issued a $3,960 infringement notice.
A Critical Layer in the Supply Chain
Detector dogs are deployed across international airports, seaports and mail centres, screening millions of passengers and parcels each year.
In 2025 alone, the program intercepted over 45,500 biosecurity risk items, a clear indication of both the scale of the challenge and the importance of early detection.
For those working across logistics and supply chains, this is a reminder that biosecurity doesn’t start at the warehouse or distribution centre. it starts at the border.
Recognising Excellence Across the Program
Ghost wasn’t the only standout performer.
Detector Dog Quatro was named Most Versatile, detecting 1,431 items across an impressive 144 different commodity types
Detector Dog Clyde took out Rookie of the Year, intercepting 829 items in his first year of deployment
Each award highlights not just the capability of the dogs, but the expertise and teamwork of their handlers and the broader biosecurity workforce.
More Than Just Detection
What makes the detector dog program so effective isn’t just the numbers, it’s the speed, precision and adaptability these teams bring to frontline operations.
As Deputy Secretary Justine Saunders noted, “Every detection helps prevent harmful pests and diseases from entering Australia. Their work safeguards our environment, supports our agriculture industry, and protects our way of life.”
Why It Matters
For an island nation like Australia, biosecurity is directly linked to economic stability.
A single breach, whether through contaminated food, plant material or animal products, can have far-reaching consequences across agriculture, trade and logistics networks.
Programs like this don’t just protect borders .. they protect entire supply chains.
And in many cases, that protection starts with a dog, a handler, and a moment of detection before a risk becomes a problem.