The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to boost its police dog presence at the U.S.-Mexico border amid escalating concerns about border security, reported an article in Newsweek.

According to Newsweek's analysis of federal procurement data, the department has significantly increased its spending on dog providers in the first six weeks of the year compared to the same period in 2023. A government spokesperson confirmed with the media outlet plans to use more K-9s this year. 

Between January 3 and February 5, DHS disbursed $264,000 for three new contracts with dog providers, the report noted. During the same period in 2023, the department's expenditure on two new contracts amounted to $119,686 from February 15 to February 27, with nothing in January, Newsweek reported

According to the article, contracts were given by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sub-agency to Police Service Dogs Inc., Carolina Canine Academy LLC, and Deborgem Enterprises Incorporated.

Newsweek reported a CBP spokesperson said the dogs will be trained at the U.S. Border Patrol Canine Academy in El Paso, Texas, which is projected to produce 33% more new dog teams in fiscal year 2024 than in the same period in 2023.

The spokesperson also told Newsweek the number of K-9s procured reflects the number of dogs needed to maintain U.S Border Patrol’s nearly 900 teams stationed across the country.