K-9 Piper, Wildlife Control Specialist

Hi to all our new followers! Been a crazy couple of days, but we managed to get groomed and some new aircraft familiarization in today, sans cast! Thanks to everyone for all the comments, it really is humbling how many people find Piper's work worth following. Oh and Sorry if we're slow to get back to everyone, we will eventually! # #airportk9 #airport #airportops #k9 #k9team #k9storm #rexspecsk9 #muttmuffs #spikesk9fund #e175 #united #airlines #plane #bordercollie #bordercolliesofinstagram #proudbordercollies #dog #dogsoffreedom #dogsofinstagram #workingdog #workingdogsofig #traversecity #puremichigan @united

A photo posted by K-9 Piper (@airportk9) on Feb 23, 2016 at 6:16pm PST

Meet K-9 Piper. A seven-year-old border collie, Piper is a Wildlife Control Officer at the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan. His mission is to keep wildlife away from the runways, as a part of the airport’s federally-mandated Wildlife Hazard Management Plan. He is the only such K-9 in Michigan, and one of less than ten in the U.S. His duties include chasing birds away from the airport, as well as the rodents that attract birds of prey. Piper responds to reports of wildlife, and does perimeter checks for evidence of infiltration. In addition, he’s a great morale boost for the airport staff. K-9 Piper also keeps up with his Instagram account for his fans. -via Metafilter

P.S. The airport’s street address is notable, too. It’s on Fly Don’t Drive.