Two accelerant detection canines (better known as arson dogs) demonstrated their skills at sniffing out ignitable liquids used in arson fires today at the Mansfield Fire Department, 140 East Third Street.

"We are in Mansfield today to showcase two members of Ohio's comprehensive arson fighting team," Director of Commerce Donna Owens said. "Our arson dogs, Harvey and Carla, are quickly showing that man's best friend can be an arsonist's worst nightmare."

During the demonstration, Dennis Cummings, an arson investigator for Commerce's Division of State Fire Marshal, led the two Labrador retrievers he handles. Investigator Cummings showed how two-year-old Harvey and four-year-old Carla can sniff out ignitable liquids used in arson fires.

These dogs have been trained to use their scent discriminating abilities to sniff out ignitable liquid accelerants used to start arson fires. When one of the dogs locates an ignitable liquid's presence at the fire scene, Investigator Cummings rewards them with food.

The dogs enhance law enforcement's ability to prosecute arsonists by saving arson investigators time by pinpointing ignitable liquids at a fire scene and providing more accurate samples for laboratory analysis.

Harvey and Carla are available at no charge to assist any Ohio fire department, arson task force or law enforcement agency.

"The State Fire Marshal is only one part of the arson fighting team here in Ohio," said Director Owens. "Diligent local officials, like those here in Mansfield, are crucial to our success in prevention, education, and criminal prosecution."

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The Division of State Fire Marshal is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The Fire Marshal’s Office trains firefighters, enforces the Ohio Fire Code, investigates the cause and origins of fires and explosions, provides fire prevention programs, and performs other services. Additionally, the Ohio Department of Commerce regulates financial institutions, securities, industrial compliance, unclaimed funds, and real estate, along with other industries. The former Department of Liquor Control joined the Department on July 1, 1997, as the Division of Liquor Control. The department's internet address is www.state.oh.us/commerce