Mumbai, Retired police dogs in Maharashtra will now be allowed to stay with the security force for life rather than being sent to adoptive homes, following a directive by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, officials said on Sunday.
Police dogs are an important part of the force and assist in detecting explosives and narcotics, tracing criminals, carrying out search and rescue operations and locating people trapped under debris at accident and disaster sites, the officials noted. However, the Home Department’s report noted that some dogs found it difficult to adjust to their new surroundings after being separated from their police handlers. After receiving the report, Fadnavis directed the Home Department to make arrangements to allow retired police dogs to continue living with the police force. Under the proposed arrangement, the police department will provide for the dogs’ food, healthcare and other necessary maintenance after retirement until their death.
The decision came after a Home Department report noted the hardships faced by police dogs after completing 10 years of service, with some reportedly refusing food when separated from the handlers with whom they had bonded, a government release said. A police dog generally joins the force at 6 to 9 weeks of age and undergoes extensive training before being deployed for various duties.
Under the proposed plan, the police department will take responsibility for the dogs’ food, medical care, and upkeep after retirement, ensuring support until the end of their lives, it said. In some cases, retired dogs reportedly stopped eating after being separated from the police personnel with whom they had developed a close bond during their years of service, the release said.
