Explosive-defusing robots, bomb-sniffing dogs deployed to help protect Super Bowl in Miami

Robots, bomb-sniffing dogs ready for Super Bowl

MIAMI — Several dozen bomb-sniffing dogs, robots that defuse explosives and police bomb squads are being deployed to protect the Super Bowl.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives showed reporters Tuesday how the dogs can detect even minute amounts of bomb compounds. Four dogs easily found a small amount of residue hidden in a closed car trunk.

Miami ATF chief Hugo Barrera says the dogs can smell 19,000 different bomb components. The ATF puts them through a 16-week training course before they’re ready for duty.

Some of the ATF dogs deployed for the Super Bowl are veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Dogs from the Miami-Dade Police Department and Broward Sheriff’s Office also are on duty for Sunday’s game.