A Popular Museum Will Use A Dog To Sniff Out Insects That Could Damage Artwork
A Popular Museum Will Use A Dog To Sniff Out Insects That Could Damage Artwork
Dogs have been man’s best friend for several millennia. Not only are the majority of dogs cute and affectionate, but they are also useful. Dogs make for great hunting companions, and they are often used by humans to sniff out a variety of different odors. Even police officers consider dogs to be members of the force. For example, dogs perform law enforcement duties within K-9 units. Everything from drugs to active bombs have been located due to the protracted sense of smell that some dog types possess. Even human bodies or fugitives from the law have been sniffed out by determined dogs. Now, law enforcement officials have a new assignment for certain dogs that possess the acute senses that are required by K-9 units–locating bugs.
A dog has recently been dispatched to a popular museum in order to sniff out bugs. Museum officials are becoming more and more concerned about the effects that insect pests can have on priceless works of art. Insect pests can easily get by humans on account of their relatively tiny sizes, so combatting the presence of insects in art museums cannot be done by humans alone.
The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts is going to the dogs, well, only one dog actually. The museum has recently hired a Weimaraner named Riley to sniff out damaging insect pests. Riley is still only a puppy, but he is moving up in the world quickly. This puppy is now responsible for protecting priceless works of art from insect pests. Some insects can be nearly microscopic, which is why only a dog’s acute sense of smell and intelligence can protect some of history’s most treasured paintings from becoming damaged by insect pests.
Riley has been trained to sniff out the types of insects that are most likely to damage the materials used to create works of art. According to the Director of Protective Services, Nicki Luongo, a Weimaraner breed is perfect dog for the job since they have long snouts and long floppy ears that can channel specific odors effectively. Riley is being paid of course. He regularly receives treats and toys that squeak, which he is very fond of. Museum officials are saying that insect pests have been a concern for a long time, and certain protocols have already been developed in case an insect is found.
Do you think that some bugs could infest parts of the museum that riley cannot smell or access, such as ceilings, or behind plaster walls?