he Punjab Police, mostly in the news for the hard crimes they are dealing with on a day-to-day basis, recently grabbed headlines when the department decided to retire the dogs in their service with great honour. In the past, the animals were euthanised after having put in eight years of service.

Strong criticism from the civil society and animal rights activists, with regard to the fate these dogs are met with at the time of their retirement, compelled the Police Department to do a policy rethink led by ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi.

“In Punjab, like in any other part of the world, the police continue to find their most reliable and trusted security filters in dogs,” Naqvi tells TNS.

As per the police’s standard operating procedures (SoPs), dogs are the final security filter after human frisking, search and sweeping are conducted in high-alert areas. These diligent beings are trained to detect explosive materials and, thus, play a crucial role in safeguarding public spaces.

In response to a query, Naqvi says she was always very tender with animals and birds: “I remember when I was in school I used to talk to my mother about colours that were applied on chickens. I’d tell her that these [chemicals] were harmful for the little birds.”

Cut to the present. Naqvi’s compassion is at play during night patrols in Gulberg where she often comes across people who are walking their dogs. She admits that she “can’t resist running to them and stroking them gently.”

According to her, the Punjab Police Special Branch values the contribution of dogs and has already set up more than 60 kennels where the animal is trained.

Naqvi says that when she learnt about the practice of euthanising the retired sniffer dogs, she refused to adopt it. Next, she took up the matter with the top boss, Dr Usman Anwar, the inspector general. Eventually, the Police Department decided to offer retired sniffer dogs as well as horses a second chance at life. The department partnered with some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working for rescue and adoption. The animals were also awarded certificates of commendation.

The police’s canine unit consists mostly of Labradors because of their non-aggressive nature.

Dr Muhammad Usman Asghar, the chief supervisor at the Police Dogs Breeding Centre and Training School, says that the department makes sure that the animal receives good-quality care. Besides, their nutrition is verified by the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS).

ASP Naqvi says that after every event, the sniffer dogs undergo thorough physical examination. Their injuries, no matter how superficial, are taken seriously, as their job often involves searching among thorny bushes and through barbed wires.

Naqvi stresses the importance of proper medical attention in order to avoid serious health issues like a maggot infestation. She says that it breaks her heart to find that despite their remarkable service the sniffer dogs are culled. “It must be understood that during their service, many [dogs] work more than their designated hours. This puts undue stress on them, often manifesting in various ailments in their latter days.

Typically, the Police Department would cull retired sniffer dogs once the animal lost their eyesight. But, since there was no law that obligated them to do so, the Police Special Branch changed the practice to provide an honourable exit to their brave canines.

Dr Asghar quotes from the Standing Order of the Special Branch, 2011, which says that a sniffer dog’s sense of smell is 99,000 times stronger than that of a human being. These dogs work best in areas where even the most advanced electronic devices would falter, making them indispensable in assorted security operations.

To join the police force, a sniffer dog must be at least one year old and undergo rigorous training. To ensure the best selection for police work, the pedigree record of the dog is checked and its parents’ health history verified.

To maintain their health and performance, dogs are given proper nutrition and appropriate rest.

Dr Anwar says that an animal deserves to lead a respectable retired life. Early this month, the Police Dogs Breeding Centre and Training School in Bedian held an adoption ceremony for retired police sniffer dogs. It allowed interested individuals to become their new owners. For instance, Saleem Khan’s family adopted dogs named Sandy and Rita, while Dr Meerab welcomed a sniffer dog named Tiger into their family.

The adoption process was facilitated through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Punjab Police and an animal rights organisation. The event saw Dr Anwar, Additional IG (Special Branch) Zulfiqar Hameed, SSP (Admin) Muntazir Mehdi, ASP Naqvi, and chief supervisor of the Police’s Special Branch, Dr Asghar, in addition to representatives from the partner private organization, JFK Animal Rescue and Shelter, as well as the handlers and trainers of the service dogs in the Punjab Police.

The writer is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship