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NFL Experience Gets Added Security From Bomb-Detecting Dogs

News Channel 8 photo by NATALIE SHEPHERD

Tampa Police Cpl. Tom Hevel and his K9 partner Gunny find explosive residue that was planted in the NFL Experience during a security demonstration Friday.

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2009

TAMPA - Gunny, a Tampa Police Department German shepherd, ran his nose past carts advertising Coors Light, funnel cake, pretzels and frozen lemonade just outside Raymond James Stadium.

But what the dog really wanted was tucked at the edge of the entrance ramp to the NFL Experience. He caught a whiff of an odor of an explosive device and sat to alert his handler, Tampa police Cpl. Tom Hevel. Hevel swiftly rewarded him with a tennis ball toy and scratches around the ears.

Tampa police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives brought their bomb-detecting dogs to the NFL Experience this morning to demonstrate how the dogs will check for explosives over the next week.

The NFL Experience, an interactive fan attraction that comes with the Super Bowl, opens to the public Saturday.

The dog handlers placed two test aromas for the dogs to find, one near the ramp outside and one inside the facility. ATF spokesman Paul Canup said the actual bomb sweeps for the NFL Experience will continue throughout the night.

ATF agents and dogs from across the country are helping with the security. Among them were special agent Brett Bowers of Atlanta and his dog, a female chocolate Labrador named Glow.

"She and I just got back from the [presidential] inauguration [in Washington], and now we're here," Bowers said, happy to be in the warmer weather.

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