Covid sniffing security dogs are being trained to detect virus on humans

Security dogs are well known for their super sniffing abilities – money, drugs, explosives. However, recent trials have been successful in using canines to sniff out Covid-19 leading to enquiries for commercial use in shops, airports, transport hubs and public spaces in the UK.

Lilly Moss from security guard company Guards.co.uk said: “These dogs are simply amazing – they can smell the odour of Covid! Training is currently taking place to enable them to actually sniff out those carrying Covid-19 in busy areas, that’s some skill!”

The sniffer dogs have been trained by the charity Medical Detection Dogs and have been on trial at London Paddington train station this week.

It is hoped if the trials are successful, the dogs will be able to work for real in early 2021.

Early detection of the symptoms of Covid-19 is key to isolating those with the virus. It is thought that if the sniffer dogs could track those in busy public spaces and help to quarantine anyone with traces of the virus.

Lilly said: “The Covid-19 sniffer dogs take less than one second to sniff out the virus, and have been successful in detecting the virus even when no symptoms have been showing."

If enough dogs could be trained up, the thinking is that Covid-19 sniffer dogs could become a regular sight in train stations, shopping centres and public spaces.

“We have already had enquiries from some large shopping centre clients about how we could integrate sniffer dogs into the regular patrols – they are jumping on every resource they can to keep open and trading."

Anyone wanting to help these special dogs and who has tested positive for coronavirus can apply for a pack containing a t-shirt, mask and socks which are used to train the dogs here: www.virusdogs.com