D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 20, r. 20-2218

Current through Register Vol. 72, No. 2, January 10, 2025

Rule 20-2218 - CANINE PEST DETECTION

2218.1

No person shall use a canine scent pest detection team to detect any pest for compensation, unless:

(a) The person is a licensed and certified pesticide operator, in accordance with the Pesticide Operation Regulations, Chapters 22 through 25 of this title; and

(b) The team, consisting of a handler and dog, is certified according to the requirements of this section.

2218.2

Each team shall be certified as satisfactorily trained for pest detection for each target pest by two (2) persons meeting the requirements of § 2218.14.

2218.3

Each team shall be certified as satisfactorily trained for pest detection for each target pest for which the team intends to offer pest detection services.

2218.4

Only a team may be certified as trained for pest detection and not individual dogs or handlers who are not part of a team.

2218.5

A team shall renew its certification each year for pest detection for each target pest for which the team offers pest detection services.

2218.6

A person that trains or certifies a team for pest detection may use pseudo-scents and extracts for training purposes but shall not use them for a canine scent detection test.

2218.7

A pesticide operator that uses a team to detect any pest shall maintain accurate records of the training of each team and its certification, which shall include the following:

(a) The name of the handler and the dog;

(b) The name, address, and telephone number of the individual or organization that provided initial training, maintenance training, or certification of the team;

(c) The date when initial training, maintenance training, or certification was completed; and

(d) Proof that the team has been certified as required by this section.

2218.8

A pesticide operator shall maintain the records specified in § 2218.7 for three (3) years and shall make the records immediately available, on request, to the District Department of the Environment (Department).

2218.9

A canine scent detection test shall be designed by a person to accurately evaluate the ability of a team to satisfactorily perform pest detection for each target pest and shall meet the following requirements:

(a) A canine scent detection test shall take place under conditions that are similar to conditions where target pests may be found;

(b) A canine scent detection test shall consist at a minimum of four (4) areas or spaces designed to restrict odors from moving between areas or spaces;

(c) A canine scent detection test shall contain at least two (2) distractors and three (3) hides as follows:

(1) The persons performing a canine scent detection test shall place hides in the testing room or space at least thirty (30) minutes before testing begins;

(2) A distractor shall represent the type encountered under field conditions by a team in the region the team operates; and

(3) If a dead target pest is used as a distractor, the target pest shall have been dead for at least forty-eight (48) hours; and

(d) The time limit for completing the search of all rooms, spaces or areas for a pest by a team shall be twenty (20) minutes, excluding the time spent by the team travelling between rooms or spaces. The qualified persons conducting the canine scent detection test may adjust the time limit of the test to account for varying size rooms and spaces.

2218.10

The persons conducting a canine scent detection test shall pass or fail the team.

2218.11

The team may make one false alert during a canine scent detection test, but it cannot be on a placed distractor.

2218.12

If the team passes a canine scent detection test, the persons conducting the test shall certify the team as satisfactorily trained for pest detection for the target pest.

2218.13

If the dog is treated cruelly during the canine scent detection test, the persons conducting the canine scent detection test shall fail the team.

2218.14

A person conducting a canine scent detection test shall have a minimum of five (5) years of documented experience, recognized by the Department, in dog scent handling, training, and evaluation in at least one of the following areas:

(a) Law enforcement;

(b) Other government agency;

(c) Military; or

(d) Other comparable experience verifiable by the Department in dog scent detection training or evaluation.

2218.15

At least two (2) persons meeting the requirements of § 2218.14 shall conduct each canine scent detection test.

2218.16

The persons conducting a canine scent detection test may not be the dog's current or former trainer and may not have any business or financial interest in the team's business.

2218.17

The persons conducting a canine scent detection test may have standards that are stricter than the standards provided in this section.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 20, r. 20-2218

Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 3340 (3/20/2015)