Photo Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Jasper worked at JFK for nearly six years.
By Forum Staff
United States Customs and Border Protection employees at John F. Kennedy International Airport recently said goodbye to CBP Agriculture K-9 Jasper, an 8-year-old beagle who has officially retired from service after nearly six years at JFK.
Customs Agriculture K-9 Specialist Amanda Tripple, Jasper’s handler, adopted him. At the end of his last tour of duty, Tripple turned in Jasper’s collar, badge, and vest, and completed transfer ownership forms.
“We grew accustomed to watching Jasper enthusiastically work to prevent prohibited animal and plant products from entering into the United States,” said Robert Perez, director of CBP New York Field Operations. “We are going to miss seeing him in action.”
Jasper had 17,167 total seizures, according to CBP, intercepting 23,485 prohibited plant and animal products resulting in the issuance of 78 civil penalties. Among Jasper’s most memorable discoveries are rhinoceros skin, bear meat, whale meat, a goat’s head, live turtles, and a plant seizure that changed the regulation regarding the importation of citrus fruit from the Dominican Republic.
According to the agency, Jasper began his service in 2011 when he was donated from the Columbia County Humane Society in Georgia. He attended the U.S. Department of Agriculture Canine Academy in Orlando, Fla. After 10 weeks of training, he was assigned to JFK, where he has spent his entire career.
“At the end of their shift, Amanda took Jasper around CBP’s area within the airport. Since Jasper officially became a pet, he was led around the workplace without his CBP vest and employees were allowed to pet him,” CBP Deputy Chief (Canine) Gary Walck said. “Jasper loves interacting with people. He enthusiastically enjoyed all of the extra attention that he received on his last work day before heading into retirement. Jasper was a great detector dog and will be missed by all.”
