EOD dog Zoomer detects bombs before games

The Utah State University Police Department has Cache Valley’s only bomb-sniffing dog, a five-and-a-half-year-old male English Labrador named Zoomer. 

Zoomer lives and works with Sgt. Scott Murray. Murray said the department got Zoomer in 2020 when he was just over two years old. 

The department wanted a Labrador specifically for their skills in odor detection.  

“Labs, they’re bred to hunt. They’re hunting dogs, and they have very good noses,” Murray said.  

One of Zoomer’s jobs is to sniff out Maverik Stadium and the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum before games.  

Murray and Zoomer choose specific spots, such as the concourse areas and garbage cans, and they always check the press box. They also check the flowerbeds outside the stadium, the athletes’ locker rooms and the tunnels to the court.  

Since Zoomer is the only explosives ordnance detection, or EOD, dog in the valley, he and Murray also respond to any bomb threats called into the police department. 

In an email to the Utah Statesman, Murray specified the certifications an EOD dog must have. 

“The dog is evaluated on his ability to recognize odors,” Murray wrote. “The other part of the certification process is does the handler (me) recognize the change of behavior the dog demonstrates when he is in odor and upon a final indication, can I say the dog has located odor.” 

 Murray said he is always asked if he ever found anything in real life.  

“Thankfully, no. I hope I never do,” he said. “The purpose of him is to provide some peace to the guests that are going to come to our games.” 

Currently, Zoomer and Murray both are certified through Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training, Vohne Liche Kennels and American Working Dog. 

Training happens every moment Zoomer is out of his kennel.  

“There’s half a dozen places around campus that are his favorite place to do his business,” Murray said. “So, if I can go put something out [a used explosive] in that area beforehand, and let him go back to take a break, it just helps him understand that ‘Anytime I am out of the truck, my nose should be working.’”  

Murray uses highly monitored leftover explosives to train Zoomer, including C4, nitroglycerin dynamite, TNT, Semtex, and gunpowder. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives monitors all explosives throughout the country, including the partial bombs used to train Zoomer. 

Murray and other USU officers rotate training Zoomer every Monday.  

Zoomer’s reward for doing a good job is a tennis ball. So, when Murray is working, Zoomer is playing.   

“A tennis ball, that’s his reward,” Murray said. “Once he finds an explosive, he won’t leave that spot until he gets his tennis ball.” 

Murray described Zoomer as “man’s best friend.”  

“I can just be walking in the parking lot or backyard, and I say ‘Hey’ — he just knows, ‘What do you need?’” Murray said. “Dogs have souls. I know they do.”