Mumbai, 22 Aug (HS): The Maharashtra Government has

decided to take care for their entire lives of police dogs after their

retirement from service. The responsibility will be shouldered by the police

department itself. The dogs will be kept by their handlers instead of offering

for adoption by private parties. The expenses on their care will be borne by

the state government.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis issued instructions

to this effect on Friday. The expenditure on retired dogs on food, medicine and

stay and other essentials will be borne by the Home Department. Police Dogs

retire after ten years of service. They are useful in detecting suspects,

explosives and missing persons.

In the past after retirement people were being

encouraged to adopt the retired dogs. It was found that dogs face psychological

problems while adjusting outside with common people, which reflects on their

food habits. They usually refuse to eat and die early. They are emotionally attached

to their handlers. The decision to retain them with their handlers was,

therefore taken by the state government.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar