Dog squad handlers bemoan lack of AC at shelter

Mumbai: According to officials and dog handlers from the bomb and dog squads, hi-tech facilities like air conditioners for the dog squad have not yet been provided, thereby affecting the performance of these canines. The shelter set up for the Mumbai police’s dog squad lacks basic facilities like continuous air conditioning, which the handlers claim is affecting the dogs’ activities, such as pace of running and quickness in detecting the explosives. The government has sanctioned Rs 2.98 crore for their training and care.

A top officials from the squad said, “There are no AC cars and no AC rooms for dogs. Since dogs are going in for special type of training and practices to detect bombs and RDX and help in murder cases, they require a top-class environment to maintain their body temperature.” A dog handler said on the condition of anonymity, “If a dog comes out from the AC car, he can perform more optimally since he will feel fresh sitting in the cool temperature. While performing their daily exercises, their heartbeat is irregular or has an erratic pattern, caused due to running.”

While talking to The Asian Age, police spokesperson DCP Ashok Dudhe said, “Yes, there is no AC (in the shelter for the dogs) but we are maintaining a top-class habitat for them. Whatever is lacking would be provided soon. All the required things are in the pipeline and will soon be assembled there.” From bomb blasts dating back to 1993, dog squads have performed excellently detecting bombs, RDX and explosives and helping in murder cases. The security of the city depends on these sniffer dogs as well, apart from policemen themselves.

The bomb and dog squads have 12 sniffer dogs, whose names are Shera, Snowie, Lucky, Brownie, Waghya, Mailo, Hira, Moti, Rana, Junior Janjir, Abu and Oscar. Ater retirement, these dogs are shifted to a private farm in Virar, owned by Fizzah Shah, who runs an NGO.