Dogs are taking on zebra mussels in the effort to halt the spread of the invasive water pests.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department on Friday launched a boater awareness campaign called "Clean, Drain and Dry." The effort is part of an outdoors festival this weekend at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.
Agency spokesman Tom Harvey says the festival will include demonstrations by dogs trained, mainly by scent, to detect zebra mussels. Experts will explain how to properly clean, drain and dry a boat as required by Texas law.
Zebra mussels were first confirmed in Texas in 2009 at Lake Texoma, spanning Texas and Oklahoma. Zebra mussels can clog water pipes, damage boat motors and affect other aquatic life.
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The 2015 Texas Legislature earmarked $6.6 million for aquatic invasive species management.
