Explosive Canine Detective Gracie with Handler Kerry Rhymer. Photo: Susan Mann

Media sources indicated last week that the territory was ordered to send the canine back to the mainland because the Department was not in compliance with the federal agency's requirements for allowing the dog to remain on duty in the US Virgin Islands.

Officials of the USVI Police Department were contacted by Caribbean Net News to clarify the reasons why the Department was forced to relinquish the dog, which was the only Certified Explosive Canine in the Caribbean Region. To date this publication has received no response.

Media sources have also reported that the Police Department now intends to obtain an Explosive Canine for the island of St Croix. Explosive Canine Detective (her official title) "Gracie" was based on St Thomas.

In recent months the USVI has been experiencing numerous bomb threats resulting in businesses, schools, and government agencies being evacuated. The "bomb dog" was typically brought to the site to sniff out potential explosive substances.

The Police Department has recently began meeting with local public communications corporation officials, government agency representatives, and legislative Representatives to draft legislation leading to improved identification methods of those individuals who make bomb threats.

The cost to train and certify a canine for explosive detection duty is $50,000. "Gracie" was also available for loan to members of the Association of Caribbean Police, which consists of 24 English-speaking countries.