The patrolling pups protecting travelers at West Virginia International Yeager Airport
Ned is the newest member of the team. The border collie joins Hercules and his handler, Chris Keyser, to help keep the airfield free of wildlife.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The Federal Aviation Administration says birds and other wildlife can cause serious damage to planes. The most recent data from the administration shows almost 20,000 strikes in one year at airports across the U.S., causing millions in damages.
With West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston being situated on a mountain, naturally, these creatures continually make their way onto the airfield.
That’s where Hercules, and his new partner, Ned, the airport’s wildlife K-9’s, get to work, dedicated to keeping the airfield clear of wildlife as planes land and take off. Yeager Airport is unique in the fact it is one of few with a dedicated Wildlife Specialist team.
Hercules and his handler, Chris Keyser, the airport’s Wildlife Specialist, have been at it for a few years, but now, they’ve recruited some help.
“He’s got a little age on him,” Keyser said referring to Hercules. “So we decided to get him a little helping hand.”
Ned, a border collie like Hercules, was originally trained to run goats and geese.
Keyser says he had a resume that made him the perfect choice to become Yeager’s newest wildlife K-9.
“Ned has come so far,” Keyser said. “Watching Herc work the field -- he’s gotten the same habits and he has learned where he can be at and where he couldn’t be at, and knows how to pull off the edge of the taxiways or runways. He knows to lie down when planes are coming and landing or going that way they don’t flush birds out in front of aircraft and the dogs are safe, as well.”
Keyser says the two make a noticeable difference, cutting down on bird strikes at the airport by about 70 percent.
Yeager Airport is in operation 24-hours a day, so Hercules and Ned are always on standby, ready to head to the airfield at a moments notice. The work is also rain or shine.
“If it’s raining, the birds increase a lot,” Keyser said. “Our work becomes a little more then because birds come to feed when the worms surface from the rain.”
On average, the two dogs run anywhere from five to seven miles a day and are trained to not hurt the birds, just scare them off.
While a majority of their work is centered around the airfield and keeping you safe as you fly, they’re also a calming presence before you even step on board.
“I have seen people be nervous and be crying and I will bring Herc along, and Herc will just come up there wagging his tail and smiling at them,” Keyser said. “He will just love up on them, and all those tears just go away, and all of the sudden they’ve just got a smile on their face.”
So, the next time you are traveling through West Virginia’s capital city, keep an eye out, because you just might catch a glimpse of Hercules and Ned at work.
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