In a significant move aimed at modernizing police infrastructure, a new ₹10 crore kennel facility is being planned for the Mumbai Police’s canine squad. The complex is to be constructed at the Marol Police Training Centre in Andheri East and is expected to serve as a multipurpose center for housing, training, and treating service dogs.
According to internal sources, the canine unit is currently composed of 33 dogs from breeds such as German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labradors, and Dobermans. These dogs are being utilized in high-stakes areas including anti-narcotics operations, bomb detection, and VIP security. Each dog is handled and cared for by two specially assigned constables. The green signal for this advanced facility has been given by the Home Department, thereby fulfilling a long-pending request for improved amenities for the police dogs. It has been revealed that the facility will be capable of accommodating up to 50 dogs. An isolation ward is also being included for those that require medical care due to illness or injury.
For the first time in the department’s history, retired police dogs will be allowed to remain within the facility. This shift comes after years of placing retired dogs in the care of NGOs or individuals. By offering in-house retirement accommodations, their post-service lives will be more closely monitored and supported. Additionally, new recruits to the canine team are to be trained on-site. The training center is being designed to enhance operational readiness and further develop the skills of the dogs. Since 1967, when the dog squad was established, its contributions to crime detection, especially in areas involving drugs, explosives, and forensic evidence, have been widely acknowledged.
Despite the presence of over 52,000 police personnel in Mumbai, the reliance on the dog squad has remained essential due to their unmatched tracking and detection capabilities. The canine unit is currently divided into two branches: one under the Crime Branch, focusing on narcotics and crime scene investigation, and the other handling bomb threats and VIP protection, with a total of 32 dogs. Through the upcoming facility, operational efficiency is expected to be enhanced and the welfare of the canine members significantly improved. The kennel is being viewed not only as an infrastructural upgrade but as a step toward recognizing and valuing the critical role played by service dogs in urban policing.
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