The Mysuru city police have strengthened its dog squad by adding three more dogs and they will be taken to Bengaluru for an extensive training.
After the recent demise of Shyam (Labrador breed), which was used in anti-sabotage checks and considered an ‘expert’ in grasping the scent of culprits, the police proposed to reinforce the squad and sent a request to the headquarters for granting new members.
Three four-month-old pups – two German Shepherds and a Labrador – have been given to the squad, which already has six dogs, including five male and one female.
Training begins at an early age for the dog squad members. The pups are trained for a year at the Police Dog Training Centre in Bengaluru. The dogs are specially trained for crime duty, detection of explosives and narcotics.
Labrador breeds have strong sniffing ability and hence are used in the detection of explosives. Manohar, in-charge of the city dog squad, told The Hindu that three pups would soon be sent for the training. The pups had been named Rashmi, Jessy and Raksha.
Seema (6), the longest-serving member in the city squad, Burfi (3), Bheema, Hari, Gaja and Hero, which are in the age group of 3 and 5 years, are the senior members of the squad.
“With Mysuru being a fast growing city, we wanted to strengthen the squad and our higher officers accepted our request,” he said.
Two squads
There are two dog squads in Mysuru district — one under the city police and another under the district police.
The handlers conduct drills for the dogs except on Sundays, usually on the premises of the Mysuru palace or on the palace parade grounds.
Funds are released under a separate head for the dogs. They under go health check-up at the government veterinary hospital once in three months.
According to the police, the police dogs are subjected to routine training from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. as they have to be fit and agile.
Each dog needs two handlers, including a stand-in, who are the personnel of the squad attached to the City Armed Reserve (CAR). But, at present, each dog has one handler. With the addition of new dog members, more men are expected to be deputed to the team.
The dogs had also been sent to neighbouring districts in case of requirement during emergencies. The requisition is usually sent from the State intelligence.
