Illustrated News
Meet Hercules and Ned, the border collies fending off wildlife at a West Virginia airport
August 31, 2025
Quick Facts
- Hercules and Ned are Border Collies trained to chase killdeer, geese, and other birds on command
- Handler Chris Keyser directs the dogs from the airport tower at Charleston's Yeager Airport
- Hercules has become an airport ambassador and inspired a children's book
Why It Matters
Bird strikes pose serious safety risks to aircraft; these dogs provide an effective, humane deterrent.
Hercules and Ned, two trained Border Collies, work with a wildlife specialist at West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) in Charleston, WV, to patrol the airfield and chase away birds, which helps to prevent bird strikes and keep planes and passengers safe.
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The dogs, led by handler Chris Keyser, run after birds like killdeer and geese on command from the airport tower. In addition to their wildlife control duties, Hercules has become a beloved airport ambassador, comforting passengers and even inspiring a children's book.
Source: AP News