KP Police lost 18 sniffer dogs due to neglect

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police have lost 18 sniffer dogs within four years due to neglect. Each of these specially trained dogs cost around Rs 500,000.

In 2014, a Canine Unit was established in the KP police department to help the police in detecting terror threats. Sixty-seven dogs are currently part of the K9 unit and a number of 52 such dogs were imported.

But according to reports, 18 such trained dogs died due to untrained handlers and lack of care. Official representatives denied such claims stating that they died due to Diseases.

Around Rs 25.5 million were spent on purchasing the dogs and their care-taking budget stand at Rs 17 million in four years.

The people assigned to cater for the well being of these dogs lack proper training. The sniffer dogs are meant to only work for one or two hours a day, overworking can dim their detective skills, officials said.

Sniffer dogs are called to detect explosives, drugs, and other illegal substances. They also play a crucial part in rescue missions after any disaster.