The German shepherd, named Bak, purchased from Hungary in 2004 for 1,850 euros, began serving at the Edirne Customs and Protection Directorate in 2005 after being trained along with 14 other drug-sniffing dogs at the Ankara Gölbaşı Dog Training Center. In 2007, Bak detected 565 kilograms of heroin hidden in pizza boxes, leading then-State Minister Kürşad Tüzmen to bestow a medal upon the dog. Since then, the dog has continued to serve well in the fight against drug trafficking.
Bak's sensitive nose has made a name for the animal in police and narcotics circles, preventing many drugs from being smuggled across Turkey's borders. In addition to the pizza box incident, Bak recently had another major success, discovering 472 kilograms of heroin hidden in a photocopying machine. Authorities at the Kapıkule border crossing expect that this accomplishment will also be recognized with an award.
Bak is currently working at Kapıkule, where his guardians take special care to make sure he maintains an optimum weight of 25-30 kilograms. In addition to routine monthly checkups, Bak has blood tests and blood counts done every three months. He begins his days by sniffing vehicles for drugs. He has regular training reinforcement and is given treats when he performs well, and when he's off duty, he takes it easy in a special kennel. Bak lives in a 120-square-meter facility with his partner, a dog named Duman.
