Retired police dogs in Maharashtra will be allowed to remain with the police force for the rest of their lives under a proposed arrangement directed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The move has been initiated after a Home Department report highlighted the difficulties experienced by police dogs after completing their 10-year service. Under the new system, retired dogs will not necessarily be transferred to adoptive homes. Instead, arrangements will be made for them to continue living within police establishments, where they will remain in familiar surroundings and have continued access to their handlers.
The Home Department report found that some dogs faced difficulties after being separated from police personnel with whom they had worked for several years. Adjustment to unfamiliar surroundings was identified as a particular concern, with some retired dogs reportedly refusing food after being moved away from their handlers. The proposed arrangement will place responsibility for the animals with the police department even after retirement. Food, healthcare, medical treatment and other essential maintenance will be provided until the dogs die.
Police dogs form an important part of the security force and are deployed for several specialised duties. Their responsibilities include detecting explosives and narcotics, tracing criminals, assisting in search and rescue operations and locating people trapped beneath debris at accident and disaster sites. Dogs generally enter police service between six and nine weeks of age. Extensive training is provided before they are deployed for operational duties. After completing around 10 years of service, they are traditionally retired and placed with suitable adopters. The change in policy has been prompted by concerns over the close bonds developed between police dogs and their handlers during years of service. The separation involved in retirement was found to have caused adjustment difficulties for some animals.
Following the Home Department's findings, instructions were issued for arrangements to be made to allow retired dogs to remain within the police establishment. Their post-retirement care will consequently continue to be managed by the force that they served. Police dogs generally have a remaining lifespan of only about one to one-and-a-half years after completing their 10-year service. The proposed system is expected to ensure that this final period is spent in a familiar environment with continued care and support.
The decision has been welcomed by animal and dog lovers, who have viewed the measure as a sensitive step towards ensuring a dignified post-retirement life for the canine members of the police force.