To boost security in Capital: Soon, dog squad to help with probes will be deployed at local police stations

They are also part of Republic Day, Independence Day and other police parades, where they march with their handlers.

From recovering stolen goods, detecting explosive material, identifying narcotics to searching for missing children, the dogs are well-trained and follow a strict diet and routine. They are also part of Republic Day, Independence Day and other police parades, where they march with their handlers.

DCP (Crime) Manoj C said, “The dogs play a vital role in safety and security in the city. We have had incidents where dogs have been used to guard courts, malls, markets, and the airport. They have been trained at the Indian Army’s Remount and Veterinary Corps base in Meerut. Some of them have been trained by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Madhya Pradesh. They are now ready to work with different police teams.”

After the training of explosive-detection dogs, police hired 19 handlers for personal training in Meerut. The dogs’ training starts when they are six months old.

“We need specialised dogs in the national capital. There are always VIP duties and anti-sabotage checks where we need more than human eyes to detect danger of any sort, especially after the two IED incidents in Shahdara. At the end of the training, dogs and their handlers have to qualify for a practical and written test and need to get a certificate. If they fail, their training period is extended,” said an officer.

The centre is headed by ASI Jitendra Dogra who said he takes care of four Labradors and one German Shepherd — three are explosive detection dogs and the other two are tracker dogs.

At present, the dogs are deployed at 10 police stations in Delhi — Model Town, Chanakyapuri, Kalyanpuri, Darya Ganj, Sabzi Mandi, Maurya Enclave, RK Puram, Dwarka, Janakpuri and Saket.

At the Saket centre, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gautam and his team take care of Golden Retrievers and other breeds that were inducted in 2019. “We give them a very nutritious diet with eggs, milk, mutton, roti and dalia (porridge). We train them and also give them time to play with their furry friends and handlers,” said ASI Gautam.

In North Delhi, DCP Sagar Singh Kalsi said the dog squad stays inside the Sabzi Mandi police station and has been operational for a long time. The centre is headed by ASI Jitendra Dogra who said he takes care of four Labradors and one German Shepherd — three are explosive detection dogs and the other two are tracker dogs.

“We have many politicians, VIPs and officials living in North Delhi and have to conduct checks for their security. There is also the Tis Hazari court where the dogs are taken for regular checks for bombs and weapons. To prevent crimes near ISBT, Chandni Chowk and other heavy footfall places, we deploy dogs to conduct checks,” said ASI Dogra.