Ceremony held to mark transition of retired sniffer dogs to their new owners. One family adopted two dogs, Sandy and Rita.

Retired police sniffer dogs have recently found new homes through adoption, marking a significant departure from the customary practice of euthanizing them.

An adoption ceremony took place at the Police Dogs Breeding Centre and Training School in Bedian, where the Punjab Police and a private organization signed a MOU to facilitate the transition of retired sniffer dogs to their new owners.

The event was attended by IG Punjab, Additional IG Special Branch, SSP Admin, ASP Syeda Shehrbanu, Chief Supervisor Special Branch, representatives from the private organization JFK Animal Rescue and Shelter, as well as the dedicated handlers and trainers of the dogs.

During the ceremony, the Saleem Khan family adopted two dogs named Sandy and Rita, while Dr. Merab provided a new home for a sniffer dog named Tiger. Dr. Usman Anwar emphasised the significant role played by Punjab Police sniffer dogs in identifying explosive items and narcotics during crucial security operations.

In recognition of their work, he presented medals, certificates of appreciation, and cash awards to the handlers and trainers of the Punjab Police Service Dogs.

The decision to spare the lives of these dogs came after ASP Syeda Sheherbano appealed to senior police officers a few months ago. She advocated for the adoption of dogs instead of subjecting them to euthanasia, asserting that these loyal canines, who had served faithfully for eight years, deserved a dignified retirement rather than a painful end.

Following consultations with higher authorities, Sheherbano collaborated with animal rights organisations, leading to a partnership with the NGO called Justice for Dogs (JFK).

Amidst growing concerns over animal protection, the Punjab Police’s recent decision to give retired sniffer dogs and horses another chance at life, has been appreciated by animal lovers, who worry for the fate of detection animals in other security agencies.

 Various security agencies, including the Punjab Police, employ the services of the Labrador dogs, costing Rs 2 million each, for detection purposes, due to their high intelligence and keen sense of smell which allows them to detect hidden explosives and drugs, with an accuracy a thousand times that of the average human.

 Similarly, horses too are used by the police for purposes ranging from crowd control, to search and rescue.

 Historically, the animals when they reached a certain age, were sent to the veterinary doctor, who would euthanize them with a shot of poison since keeping them alive was financially taxing for the government agencies.

 Recently, however, Punjab Police has decided to offer the dogs and horses to non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) for shelter and adoption.

However, animals’ rights activists like Zufishan Anushay, argue that the Punjab Police has almost 60 retired dogs but only 6 have been promised a chance at life. “Unfortunately, the practice of killing old dogs and horses still continues in the police, regardless of what the police might portray,” asserted Anushay, who heads an animal rights NGO. The dogs and horses serving in the police are made to work extra hours, due to which their eyesight, sense of smell and knee health, are all hampered.

 When inquired about the poor treatment of animals when they are in service, Bano, the Assistant Superintendent, expressed the hope that the animals would like their new home.  We hope that the shelter homes of the NGOs will have trained doctors to monitor the health of the dogs and horses. An attempt will be made to auction the retired animals first and if no one takes them then they will be handed over to the NGOs,” she added.

Other security agencies should also hand over their old detection animals to NGOs in order to bring significant improvement in the condition of animals in the country.

In Feb 2024, 6 retired police sniffer dogs found new homes

Adoption termed step towards ending euthanasia

At a ceremony held at the Police Dogs Breeding and Training School Bedian, six retired sniffer dogs from the Canine Unit of Special Branch Punjab Police found new homes through adoption.

Special Branch Chief Supervisor Dr Muhammad Usman Asghar, Dog Centre Supervisor Altaf Hussain, as well as handlers and trainers of service dogs attended the ceremony.

In recognition of their dedicated service, the retired sniffer dogs were honored with medals and certificates during the ceremony.

An important MoU was signed between the Punjab Police and Animal Rights Organisation JKF, facilitating the transition of retired sniffer dogs to their new owners.

Among the citizens who stepped forward to adopt these loyal companions were Abubakar, who adopted Bazo; Ahmad Masood, who welcomed Martin into his home; Miss Samia, who embraced Silly; Miss Maryam, who took in Hitler; and Al-Habib, who adopted Cruiser.

Expressing their commitment to the well-being of the adopted dogs, citizens emphasised the importance of providing them with lifelong care and protection.

According to Additional IG Special Branch Zulfiqar Hameed, the adoption initiative aims to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling life for retired sniffer dogs, who have diligently served in safeguarding lives and properties.

Zofishan Anushay, head of the private NGO, highlighted the collaborative efforts being made under the MoU with the Punjab Police to secure a brighter future for retired service dogs.