Well doggone it! Meet a beagle who is raring to give a just grrr...ipping performance at the Agriculture Exhibition today.

Bamboo has been chosen to show how dogs at New York's JFK airport sniff out prohibited fruits, plants, and meat in luggage and packages.

And visitors to the Botanical Gardens over the next three days will find out Bamboo is one dog who certainly nose his job.

Not that it all came naturally to him, for Bamboo has undergone months of training under the eagle eye of Ms Lori Kroft.

Ms Kroft, from the United States Department of Agriculture, explained Bamboo has been taught to sit whenever he smells fruit or vegetable.

This is the signal for Customs officers to carry out searches.

"The beagle is selected by the department because of its acute sense of smell and gentle nature with people,'' said Ms Kroft.

"Bamboo is going to be three years old soon, and has been undergoing training since last July. He is very good at what he does.'' Bamboo is one of seven members of the Beagle Brigade, and was donated to the department by his owner.

It was the idea of Mrs. Annette Boyle, who works in Bermuda as the local coordinator for the US Department of Agriculture, to bring a beagle to the Island.

Said Mrs. Boyle: "Once the Agricultural Show is over, Bamboo will be working at the Civil Air Terminal here in Bermuda for a day.

"Then for the next two days he will visit five schools in Bermuda; namely, Saltus Junior School, Gilbert Institute, Warwick Academy at the primary level, Dellwood, and Mount St. Agnes.

"Hopefully, the children will be able to pass the information they receive home to their families.'' Mrs. Boyle is confident Bamboo will be a hit in Bermuda.

"I'm a dog lover, and I think he is just great,'' she said.

*** Police advise anyone visiting the Agricultural Exhibition that opens at the Botanical Gardens today, to observe the following traffic and parking orders: Berry Hill Road will be one-way east from Camden Road North to Tee Street.

Parking is prohibited on Point Finger Road, Berry Hill Road, Tee Street South Road from Point Finger Road to Tee Street and on all roads within the grounds.

Vehicles must enter the grounds at the south gate opposite Camden House and north gate on Berry Hill Road and exit through the far southeast gate on South Road.

The west gate on Point Finger Road is reserved for pedestrians only.

Pedestrians may use any entrance except the service entrance on South Road.

This is reserved for departmental vehicles, equestrians and trailers only.

The southwest gate (opposite the Peace Lutheran Church) is reserved for exhibition officials.

These traffic arrangements will be effective from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today through Saturday April 22.

Police officers will be on hand to direct traffic and parking.

DOGGED PERFORMER -- Bamboo the beagle with his trainer Ms Lori Kroft (right) and Mrs. Annette Boyle. Both women work for the US Department of Agriculture.