Mumbai, Aug 23 (PTI) 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.
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.
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.
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.
A police dog generally joins the force at 6 to 9 weeks of age and undergoes extensive training before being deployed for various duties.
After completing 10 years of service, the dogs are currently retired and placed with suitable adopters.
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. 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.
After receiving the report, Fadnavis directed the Home Department to make arrangements to allow retired police dogs to continue living with the police force.
“After giving 10 years of dedicated and loyal service to the police force, it is not right that such dogs should suffer. Though they are animals, we must take care of them,” the CM said.
He directed the department to ensure that the dogs can spend their post-retirement lives comfortably within the police establishment, which had been their home during their service.
Under the proposed arrangement, the police department will provide for the dogs’ food, healthcare and other necessary maintenance after retirement until their death.
Police dogs generally have a remaining lifespan of only one to one-and-a-half years after completing their 10-year service. The new arrangement will allow them to remain with their handlers and the police force, ensuring that their remaining years are spent in a familiar environment, the release said.
Animal and dog lovers have welcomed the decision, calling it a sensitive step towards ensuring a dignified post-retirement life for the canine members of the police force. PTI MR GK
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