How many dogs have government jobs? What about sea lions?

Washington is going to the dogs for real this time. As of 2022, the federal government employed 5,159 German shepherds, Belgian Malinois, beagles...

Washington is going to the dogs - for real this time.

As of 2022, the federal government employed 5,159 German shepherds, Belgian Malinois, beagles, Jack Russell terriers and other forms of everyone’s favorite furry friend.Another 421 worked as canine contractors.

The job descriptions for these four-legged feds range from the sublime - 31 help "park rangers traverse Denali National Park in winter” - to the subprime: Others "detect waterfowl feces” infected with bird flu.

We found the work of these politically connected canines described in magical detail in a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which apparently is taking its role as government watchdog literally. The report - which addresses the working conditions of working dogs - somehow escaped our noticed until we were scooped by our friends at USA Facts, a data evangelism and dissemination outfit founded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

The majority of Uncle Sam’s shepherds (and other breeds) - almost 3,000 - work for the Department of Homeland Security. About 1,100 of those DHS dogs sniff bags and whatnot for the Transportation Security Administration, otherwise known as everyone’s airport security friend, the TSA. Another 1,800 are Pentagon pooches, hard at work for the Defense Department.