Pursuit's Take
The Department of Energy’s (Department) Canine Program is an essential component of its efforts to identify and deter potential threats to infrastructure and personnel. At the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) and other nuclear material hosting sites in the Department, canines are used to detect explosives, narcotics, concealed humans and also track human presence at facilities that store, handle and maintain special nuclear material.
Canine services at Y-12 were obtained through a 5-year contract that is valued at almost $15 million. Subsequently, in 2012, we received allegations that the Department’s Y-12 site: (1) possibly “rigged” testing for canine teams, and (2) worked canines beyond their physical capability to perform effectively.
OIG did substantiate the allegation that handlers had worked canines beyond their physical capability to perform assigned duties.
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