What we do

Animal Control Officers provides specialist detection dog teams for explosives, firearms, drugs, pyrotechnics, and bedbugs.

Teams operate across the UK at events, venues, depots, accommodation, transport hubs, and sensitive locations. We work to BS 8517-2 (operational use of detection dogs), follow NASDU or similar training frameworks, and align with NPSA/Home Office guidance for effective canine capability.

Disciplines we cover

Explosives & Firearms (EDD/FDD)

Passive and proactive screening for venues, event builds, back-of-house, vehicles and goods-in. Where required, some of our teams have the NCTAS-P accreditation for private industry EDD deployments.

Drugs Detection (Passive/Proactive)

Search of entrances, queues, staff areas and welfare zones. Fully trained and SIA license standards with clear engagement protocols agreed in advance.

Pyrotechnics Detection

Crowd sweeps for flares and smoke devices at events, arenas and transport interfaces to reduce risk and confiscation bottlenecks (pairs well with security dog presence).

Bedbug Detection

Discreet canine inspections for hotels, private rented sector and social housing, student lets and short-stay portfolios — enabling targeted treatment and faster turnaround. Evidence shows trained dogs can detect low-level infestations improving early identification and reducing time and operational costs.

On-site approach

  • Task brief & risk review (threat, zones, routes, handover points).
  • Search plan agreed (passive lines, proactive area sweeps, vehicle/room schedules).
  • Proportional response & evidence handling aligned to venue policy and police guidance.
  • Welfare built-in (rest, hydration, environmental limits) per BS 8517-2.

Where detection dogs add most value

  • Event security: pre-entry and back-of-house screening, load-in/load-out checks.
  • Critical sites: compounds, stores, vehicle gates, contractors’ access.
  • Accommodation portfolios: bedbug sweeps for hotels, PBSA, HMOs and councils (detection-led, room-targeted remediation).
  • Transport & logistics: vehicles, pallets, cages, and goods-in screening.
  • High-risk periods: event build/de-rig, night shifts, pre-opening checks.

Reporting you receive

  • Outcome report if required.
  • Report logs (areas, timings, routes, outcomes), upon request.
  • Positive indication reports with location and action taken, upon request.
  • Welfare & training records available for audit (on request)

Standards & compliance

  • BS 8517-2:2016 — code of practice for operational use of detection dogs (records, kennelling/husbandry, equipment, training, and operational requirements).
  • NASDU — nationally recognised training frameworks for detection disciplines (e.g., Level 3 drugs, Level 4 EDD).
  • NPSA / Home Office — guidance for effective EDD capability; NCTAS-P accreditation route for private-sector explosives detection dog teams.
  • SIA — where the role includes manned guarding, handlers hold a front-line SIA licence (security guarding/door supervision).