Bomb dogs recommended to shore up transit security

Bomb-sniffing dogs are the least expensive and fastest way to prevent a Madrid-style terrorist attack, a panel of transit security officials and counterterrorism veterans said last week.

The Transportation Development Institute, part of the American Society of Civil Engineers, also recommended that train, trolley and bus systems not wait for federal homeland security grants to use dogs.

"Don't sit around and wring your hands because you don't have any money," said James Broder, a former FBI agent with 40 years’ experience in counterterrorism. "Roving inspectors can be taught the behavioral patterns of bombers. Keep your programs simple. Don't overreact."

The institute made its recommendations during a national teleconference after studying the best responses to the Madrid bombings. Engineers got the idea after looking at how many transit systems deploy random inspectors to collect fares.