Dive Brief:

• Three Ohio universities are getting bomb-sniffing dogs as part of a program that could eventually have the canines at every public university in the state.
• The dogs were to be presented this week at Youngstown State University, Ohio State University, and Bowling Green State University.
• Ohio Homeland Security is paying for the purchase and initial training and equipment — $12,700 per dog — with federal grant money. Universities pay for their police officers, who train the dogs and then become their full-time handlers.

Dive Insight:

The goal is to develop a core group of bomb-sniffing dogs and handlers who will train together and build a support network throughout the state, the Associated Press reported. The dogs will be used to respond to threats and for security at games, concerts, and other events. The universities in the program will also make the dogs available for off-campus needs, such as threats at high schools.