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HT Impact: Mumbai police draft fresh proposal to take care of retired sniffer dogs
Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria said the department has sent a fresh proposal to the state, suggesting a ‘comprehensive arrangement’ to take care of the dogs’ needs once they retire.
Sniffer dogs working with the Mumbai police may soon get a better life after retirement.
Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria said the department has sent a fresh proposal to the state, suggesting a ‘comprehensive arrangement’ to take care of the dogs’ needs once they retire.
The move follows a Hindustan Times report on Sunday that pointed out how sniffer dogs Max and Caesar – who retired from the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) in August last year – have been living on leftovers at the BDDS kennel as there are no grants to pay for their food and medicines.
The two Labradors had sniffed out bombs during the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. The report led many animal lovers and welfare organisations to also raise the issue.
Maria called a meeting with BDDS officials on Monday, which is when the proposal was drafted. “We have sent this proposal to the government, asking for a permanent and comprehensive arrangement for the retirement needs of our sniffer dogs. The arrangement will not only include their food and medical expenses, but also where they stay,” Maria told HT.
Maria said animal lovers have volunteered to pay for Max and Caesar’s food and medicines until the new proposal is approved by the government.
A similar pension proposal sent by the police in August last year has been gathering dust at the Mantralaya. Maria said the new proposal will be more effective as it seeks a permanent, and not ad-hoc arrangement, for the retirement needs of the canines.
“The new arrangement will provide a permanent solution to their [dogs’] needs for the rest of their lives,” the commissioner said.
After the report, an animal welfare NGO in the city proposed to the BDDS that it will adopt the two dogs.
Sniffer dogs in service are paid Rs 15,000 a month to take care of all expenses.
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