A few weeks ago, Jinny, a seven-year-old Doberman part of the police canine force in Bengaluru, made headlines after he led the police straight to the house of the perpetrators who had decapitated a man in Anekal.
Both Jinny and his handler Dandappagouda were felicitated by the Police Commissioner. But, the canine’s service with the police will most likely end in two years. He will be probably sent to an animal/dog welfare centre in the city, where he will live the rest of his years, away from his handler and his job.
Last year, the Karnataka police issued a notice stating that people could adopt retired service dogs. Since 2016, four dogs working with the Bengaluru city police have retired, but no one has come forward to adopt them. They are at the Karuna Prani Daya Sangha and Voice of Stray Dogs, shelters in Bengaluru.
Though the City Armed Reserve (CAR) south control room received many calls from citizens, the adoptions never materialised. “Many people call thinking these are active, young dogs. But when we tell them otherwise, they back off,” said Ningareddy Patil, inspector who oversees the dog squad, adding that the best outcome is when the handlers themselves adopt the dogs. But, that is not always practical.
These dogs are not the cute and cuddly type, usually up for adoption, said Rakesh Shukla, founder of Voice of Stray Dogs. “The transfer to families is a time-consuming process. Dogs, who come out of the forces, are hardly a long-term companion. Not many would want to adopt a dog at the end of its life, which would mean mounting medical expenses,” Mr. Shukla added.
Though the life span is 13 to 15 years, most dogs in the police service retire by the age of 10 or even earlier. Adoption may be the answer, but it takes a special kind of “family” to welcome an ageing police dog.
“But, now handlers can take the retiring dogs home if they are interested,” said a CAR official.
Many end up in Kennels
Police dogs are usually labradors, doberman and German shepherds. During their years in service, the dogs are trained to follow a daily schedule. Canines like Jinny, a doberman who helped the police crack a murder case recently, serve in various security departments, including the Karnataka police, City Armed Reserve and even the military.
Entering the service as three-month old puppies, they go through rigorous training for specialist functions such as bomb detection, contraband detection, crime scene investigation and search and rescue operations. “The first and most important training is basic obedience. By the age of one, they have been trained to obey commands, have bonded with their handler, and are then assigned to a squad,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police of City Armed Reserve-South Siddaraju, who is in-charge of the 60-dog strong Canine Squad in Bengaluru, which has equal number of handlers.
Working an eight-hour shift every day, the dogs develop a deep bond with their handlers. “It is very difficult for both the handler and the dog when the time comes to part. Also, these dogs are used to a very comfortable life during service. This may not be the case post retirement,” said Ningareddy Patil, Inspector, who oversees the dog squad in Bengaluru.
The transition from active service to a retired life is not always easy. While they are working, the dogs are housed in a spacious room at the City Armed Reserve-South headquarters in Koramangala. The room is fitted with lights and fans, and the dog’s needs are taken care of, from nutritious food to adequate exercise. Post retirement, they are usually welcomed by welfare organisations, but often have to live in kennels.
“Most dogs get disqualified from service due to age factor, medical problem or injury. The senior dogs carry the weight of their jobs and many end up having arthritis problems and skin diseases. From being working dogs on duty every day, their lives suddenly change when they are confined to a kennel,” said Shukla from Voice of Stray Dogs, which has around 15 patriot dogs at its centre.
