Bomb dogs sweep stands for explosives before every WVU game

Published on November 26, 2018

Before 60,000 or more screaming fans fill the seats at Mountaineer Field to cheer the football team, to a trio of noses works hard to make sure Milan Puskar Stadium is safe for all.

Ginger, a 7-year-old field golden retriever; Nina, a 2-year-old field golden Retriever; and Allie, a 6-year-old chocolate Lab, are explosive detection dogs with the WVU Police K-9 unit.

The unit also has Riley, an 18-month German short-haired pointer, a narcotics dog.

Before every home game at Mountaineer Field, the dogs spend 18 hours, starting at 6 a.m. the day before, sweeping the stadium for explosives, Lt. Josh Cook said.

Cook said a dog will work for about 15-20 minutes and then have a short rest while one of the others takes over.

WVU Police Chief W.P. Chedester said the K-9 unit means a lot to the department. The unit was started in the early 2000s and went so well, it expanded.

Now the department is asked to help other agencies and handles “all the big events” in Morgantown, Chedester said. Read More