A five-year-old beagle named Murray was in rough shape when he was picked up as an abused stray in Georgia two years ago — but now he's helping to protect the country as part of Homeland Security, and he loves every minute of it.

When he was three, Murray found his way to Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter, where he was skinny, hurt, and alone.

After several animal lovers stepped in to help him, he went on to train to become a member of Homeland Security's Beagle Brigade, with which he helps sniff out potentially dangerous things that travelers bring to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Glow-up! A beagle named Murray was picked up as an abused stray in Georgia two years ago — but now he's helping to protect the country as part of Homeland Security

When Murray was picked up by Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter, he was not doing great. Besides being underfed, Murray was missing part of his right ear, and a bad was wrapped around his tail, cutting off circulation.

It had to be amputated.

'He was scared and timid and everything like that, which is probably from being stuck in a small cage or kennel and not [being allowed] to socialize or [being] paid attention to,' Tammie Jourdanais, the shelter’s director, told AJC.

'He was very eager for love and very eager for attention,' she added.

His injuries were too severe for him to be adopted, so the shelter put out a call for help on Facebook. That's when two people from Alcovy Pet Rescue picked him up.

Members of the group cared for him and socialized him, before eventually handing him over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Detector Dog Training Center.

Good boy! As part of the Beagle Brigade, the five-year-old sniffs out produce, meat, and pests that could be carrying diseases

'The dogs we’re looking for are working dogs that really need something to do,' Kathleen Warfield, a training specialist, said. 'They need to keep busy and be active.'

After some training, Murray was ready to join the Beagle Brigade, joining other dogs that work with Homeland Security in airports across the country to help sniff out things like food and pests that could carry dangerous disease.

'Even though he’d clearly been mistreated, Murray still trusted people and was bright and just loved being around people,' Aaron Beaumont, who works at the training center, told People.

'It’s kind of like the ultimate pauper and prince story. We take these dogs out of shelters and give them a second chance, one they really love.'

'It’s big game of hide-and-seek for him,' his handler told People

Murray's handler, an Agriculture Specialist and K-9 Enforcement Officer with Homeland Security named Amabele Gella, said he's a 'superstar' now.

He works in the baggage claim area at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and helps catch all a matter of things passengers are smuggling in.

For his part, Murray loves his job.

'It’s big game of hide-and-seek for him,' Gella told People. 'It’s fun — he’s so full of energy — he never wants to stop finding stuff — all day long he’s sniffing bags and he gets treats in return. He makes my job look easy.'

Poor pup: Murray had been found with part of his ear missing, and some of his tail had to be amputated due to his abuse

Reward: Murray gets a treat when he does a good job and finds something in a person's baggage

'He does such a fabulous job. He’s saved this country millions of dollars in seizures of illegal plants and food. We’re extremely proud of him,' added Yvonne Petty, who was once of the people from the pet rescue group that saved him.

Abbey Powell of USDA APHIS, an inspection service, told Inside Edition that Murray is rewarded with a treat when he finds something.

'The dogs see it as fun. They don’t see it as work. It’s a blast for them,' she said.

'Murray is the happiest dog you will ever meet,' Warfield told AJC. 'When he’s at the airport, he just loves being in that environment.'

Murray will continue working until he is nine, when he will retire — and most like;y live as his handler Gella's pet.