6 canines training to join Goa Police dog squad

PANJIM: Goldie, Puja, Luci, Blacky and Lucky are dog-tired, but there’s soon to be some respite for them, when they get new colleagues to share the work pressure. If you haven’t guessed, the five named are members of the dog squad, and by January next year will have six new canine companions, who are currently undergoing nine months of rigorous training at Integrated Intelligence Training Academy in Telangana. 

Once the six join the dog squad of Goa Police, the strength will go up to 14 dogs, interestingly exceeding the sanctioned strength.

Among the existing dogs, Labradors Goldie and Puja – specialised to locate explosive devices – are due for retirement early next year, while Rani, also on the explosives team and Lity – in the trackers sections – died recently. 

“Six dogs are being trained in explosives, narcotics detection and tracking at Integrated Intelligence Training Academy from where they were procured by Goa Police. A batch of nine staff are also undergoing training as ‘dog handlers’ in the same training centre, whereas another batch is undergoing training at Tekanpur BSF Academy,” DySP Edwin Colaco told Herald. Tracker dogs are pressed into service to detect other crimes. 

Keeping the old age of two dogs, death of one, and increasing work load in mind, the State police had decided to strengthen the dog squad. Once the new dogs are inducted next year, these dogs will be sent across the coastal belt for patrolling along with the police teams besides being deputed for specific cases. “The dogs are a vital part of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad. Our focus is the coastal belt as well,” Colaco said, adding that the department will put up a proposal before the government to have full fledged Bomb Detection and Disposal Units in both the districts and its central unit in Panjim.

Though the average age of the dog is below 15 years of age, each of them is considered fit for the job till the age of 9 years in Goa Police. Colaco said that two dogs aged 9, will be retained with Goa Police even after they are retired. “They will be with us in the same camp, however, they will not be on duty anymore,” he added, stating the Goldie and Puja are taking rest ahead of their retirement. 

With the upcoming induction, the dog squad; the officer said, has sufficient strength of sniffers dogs and staff.