Bomb-Sniffing Dogs Train At Glendale Stadium

By Matthew Casey
Published: Thursday, June 17, 2021 - 4:44pm
Updated: Thursday, June 17, 2021 - 4:45pm

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Soldier bomb-sniffing dog
Matthew Casey/KJZZ
Soldier, a 7-year old yellow Lab, works for the Phoenix Police Department bomb squad.

More than a dozen bomb-sniffing dogs have practiced their craft in the West Valley this week.

Homeland Security set up the multilevel training ground for police teams inside a stadium that hosts top-tier sports and entertainment. 

Soldier, a yellow Lab who works for the Phoenix Police Department’s bomb squad, practiced sniffing out explosives from white boxes lined up on State Farm Stadium’s lower concourse. Some had decoys meant to trick him.

The dog laid down when he picked a box he thought had a deadly smell. The instructor said he was right, and Soldier’s handler Patrick Clinton took out a toy.

“Good job buddy. Good boy,” said Clinton.

“What’s Soldier like to do when he’s not working?” asked KJZZ.

“He likes to swim in the pool and hang out with the family,” said Clinton.

Work life for Soldier is protecting events like the Super Bowl and VIPs like the president.