Two accelerant detection canines (better known as arson dogs) demonstrated their skills at sniffing out ignitable liquids used in arson fires today in front of first grade students at Franklin Elementary School, 13465 Franklin Boulevard in Lakewood.

"We are in Lakewood today to introduce two members of Ohio's comprehensive arson fighting team to these school children," 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 enemy."

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.

Due to their scent discriminating abilities, these dogs have been trained 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.

Director Owens and Investigator Cummings visit was timely since the first graders at Franklin Elementary recently learned about the five senses in class. Director Owens explained to them that dogs like Harvey and Carla can smell and sense things undetectable to humans. Canines have 220 million scent receptors in their noses while humans only have five million. As a result of their heightened senses, arson dogs prove vital to many arson investigations in the State of Ohio.

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.

"Today's demonstration showed these inquisitive students that a dog similar to their family pet can save lives and protect them, their families and their communities from the threat of arson," said Director Owens.

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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