Kerryn Johnson: Dogs recruited to help stop kauri dieback around Auckland

Dogs have been recruited to help stop kauri dieback spreading to the islands around Auckland.Two sniffer dogs have graduated from a Conservation Dog Programme and will help Auckland Council restrict the spread of the tree disease.Biosecurity team manager Lisa Tolich says they'll be a key part of the regional pest management plan.She says the dogs will be an active part of the first line of defence, preventing the pathogen moving to the Hauraki Gulf Islands.Biosecurity dog team lead Brian Shields says it's been five years in the making.He says they had to train the dogs to hone in on the smell of kauri dieback and make everything else neutral.Shields says it's like us being able to smell a sugar cube in a teacup, but the dog being able to smell a sugar cube in an entire pool.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.