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Public Transportation Travel: Beijing's Subway Sniffers

Beijing is already ramping up security in advance of the Lunar New Year, the festivities for which start on February 6. Police and K9 units are patrolling the world's busiest subway system, looking for fireworks and other "incendiary substances". You know, the kinds you're likely to find at a Chinese New Year celebration.

Police dogs aren't a common sight in China, so officials are hoping their presence now will warm people up for security crackdowns that could precede the Olympic Games this summer. Says one police officer:

Dogs that patrol subways should be able to detect dangerous items without touching passengers' clothes, which may terrify people, especially children and those who dislike dogs.

Come August 8, the K9s will be all over the place, so don't try to pack any fireworks to celebrate your favorite athlete racking up more medals for your favorite country.

Related Stories:
· Police Dogs Start Patrolling Downtown Beijing Stations [Xinhua]
· Beijing Olympic Watch: Go for the Gold Now [Jaunted]
· Public Transportation coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ernoldiño]