Dog sniffs out invasive mussels, keeps them out of B.C. waters

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says a specially trained dog recently helped stop an Ontario boat carrying invasive mussels from entering B.C. waters.

The service says it stopped the vessel at its station in Golden, which is east of Revelstoke.

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has specially trained detection dogs. (BC Government)

However, the statement does not specify when the inspection occurred.

It says specialized equipment was used to decontaminate the boat, but one of the service’s detection dogs found the mussels — which pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems, fish populations and hydro stations — were still present.

Officers issued a mandatory 30-day quarantine for the boat and issued a $230 ticket to its owner for the unlawful transport of a prohibited species.