THE CHOCOLATE DOG BLOG: These Labs say no to boot leg discs



These Labs say no to boot leg discs

Disc pirates — these dogs are your worst nightmare

And local gangs who export pirated discs through the mail might soon find themselves in the doghouse.

The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry may bring Neil Powell, Lucky and Flo’s trainer, to Malaysia to train dogs here. Using sniffer dogs would greatly increase their chances of finding pirated CDs and DVDs in packages and containers.

Lucky and Flo demonstrated their technique to Customs officials from around the region in Hong Kong last week. Ministry deputy director- general (management) Ahmad Dahuri Mahmud, the head of its optical discs special unit, attended the demonstration at the invitation of the Motion Picture Association (MPA).

"The dogs were very effective at sniffing out DVDs even though they had been covered with a substantial amount of bubble wrap," Ahmad said, adding that he had discussed the training methods with Powell. He declined to comment when asked whether the ministry plans to hire Powell to train dogs here.

"The ministry is studying the feasibility of using dogs for its enforcement operations. We do not have any experience in this field." Senior ministry officials, on the other hand, said they are considering bringing Powell to Malaysia as the dogs could be a valuable asset in the battle against piracy.

"Many are in favour of setting up a dog unit similar to that of the police canine unit," sources said.

"The general consensus is that the dogs have proven their effectiveness in discovering optical discs under difficult conditions and can aid enforcement officers at mail points." It has been learnt that the MPA has offered Powell’s expertise to the ministry.

Between Sept 8 and Oct 12 this year, close to 5,000 parcels containing nearly 20,000 DVDs were seized at the mail and courier centres at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

"The recent discovery of 138,000 pirated discs worth RM1.38 million at the MAS Cargo Complex is ample proof of the demand for pirated discs from abroad," sources said.

"Most of the confiscated discs were destined for various capitals in the Middle East, one of the main targets of the gangs.

"The international market is much more lucrative than the local market, due to the exchange rate and the fact that they charge their customers in US dollars."

(for full story)

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