Police dogs to remain under state's care after retirement: Maharashtra CM

The move comes after consistent concerns regarding the emotional and mental well being of police dogs after being put up for external adoption.

Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 13:16:51 IST

By Stuti Gupta

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced that retired state police dogs would no longer be put up for external adoption after 10 years of service.

Typically, police dogs would be put up for external adoption after 10 years of service, leading to severe mental distress for many of them. (@ANI/X)

He reportedly said that dogs will continue to be with their long-term police handlers and the Home Department will take care of expenses in their post-retirement phase.

Fadnavis announced that a dog who had served in the police forces for the stipulated period of 10 years should not be made to suffer at the turn of retirement, news agency ANI reported, citing Maharashtra government sources.

The chief minister said that post-retirement, police dogs should be allowed to spend the rest of its life in a comfortable posture.

Also Read I Maharashtra CM Fadnavis backs Tukaram Mundhe in first reaction to FDA crackdown: 'Action will continue'In light of this sentiment, dogs that would have typically been put up for external adoption after finishing their service period will stay enrolled in the force to live out their remaining years in the care and company of their long-term handlers.

In addition, the Maharashtra Home Department will directly take up responsibility to fund all post-retirement costs, including nutrition, healthcare, and daily living needs.

Shift from a previous policy of adoption

Before this directive, service dogs would retire after 10 years of service and be put up for external adoption. This practice raised issues regarding the emotional and psychological health of these dogs post separation, many of whom experienced trauma or refused food in their new environment.

In order to alleviate the sudden mental distress which stems as a direct result of being pulled away from their long-term human companions, these dogs will now have the opportunity to relish full-time state-backed care post retirement by ensuring they enjoy the comfort of familiar surroundings after completing their service.

Also Read I Hatchet buried? Khadse invites Fadnavis for birthday celebration

Under the new order, police dogs will now have their survival needs metted out by the state after finishing their 10-year service period. (PTI/ Representational)

This policy ensures that the long-standing bond and companionship developed between a cop and their canine friend is maintained in a mutually beneficial manner for both parties involved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stuti Gupta
Stuti Gupta is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi, where she is a part of the General News team, tasked with reporting on happenings across the country impacting domestic as well as international ecospheres. In her role at HT, she is responsible for keeping a track of incoming news updates, packaging stories and publishing them in a format best suited to their purpose. She holds a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication and Journalism from St Xavier’s, Mumbai and is partial towards working on international affairs. Apart from her interest in the geopolitical world, she is a keen reader, writer, orator, debater and learner who loves picking up new information. She has been recognized for her previous literary work at the international level with a Gold Finalist, Gold and Silver Award in various participating years at the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition along with winning the third prize and getting her story published in Children’s World in 2017. Barring academic and professional pursuits, she has a passion for travelling to new places, exploring new cultures and cuisines, documenting them through words and pictures and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. She is also an avid enthusiast of studying art forms such as cinema, dance, theatre and music as a tool for cultural storytelling and actively participates in them.Read More

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