As the Delhi Metro expands, with the latest being the opening of the Pink Line on March 14, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is in charge of the metro rail network’s security, has also expanded the strength of its dog squad.
For Phase-III of the Metro, eight more sniffer dogs, all female Labradors, have been inducted into the force to help its personnel in protecting vital installations. With this, the number of canines in the CISF dog squad has gone up to 60 - 31 Labradors, 17 German Shepherds, 10 Cocker Spaniels and two Golden Retrievers.
The CISF’s dogs are deployed at eight strategic locations on the Delhi Metro so they can sweep the maximum area. German Shepherds can be aggressive, but Labradors are generally friendly dogs and adjust easily to Delhi’s climate. Smaller in size compared to rest of their squad-mates, Cocker Spaniels can easily sniff out objects in the area below seats on a Metro train.
The eight new dogs that have joined the squad will serve around 10 years before retiring, as is the norm. After their tenure in service, they are given up for adoption through NGOs.
