Maharashtra Retired Police Dogs to Stay With Force for Life

Retired police dogs in Maharashtra will now be allowed to stay with the security force for life instead of being sent to adoptive homes, following a directive issued by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.

The decision followed a Home Department report highlighting the hardships faced by police dogs after completing 10 years of service. The report noted that some canines reportedly refused food and struggled to adjust to new surroundings after being separated from the handlers with whom they had bonded during their service.

Under the proposed plan, the police department will take full responsibility for the dogs' food, healthcare, and overall upkeep after retirement, ensuring support until the end of their lives.

Police dogs join the force at 6 to 9 weeks of age and undergo extensive training before deployment. They play a key role in detecting explosives and narcotics, tracing criminals, conducting search and rescue operations, and locating people trapped under debris at accident and disaster sites.

Previously, dogs were retired and placed with suitable adopters after completing a decade of service. According to the government release, police dogs typically have a remaining lifespan of one to one-and-a-half years after finishing their 10-year tenure.

Addressing the matter, Fadnavis said that after a decade of dedicated and loyal service, it was not right for the dogs to suffer, adding that the animals must be cared for within the police establishment that served as their home.

The new arrangement ensures that retired canines can spend their remaining years in a familiar environment alongside their handlers.