May the Force Be With You– Dogs in Security Forces
Dr Anuradha Nema
Dogs are Man’s Best Friend and an Extended Arm of Security Forces. The reliability of canines is 86 percent and their indication is spontaneous. They are able to sniff almost all kinds of explosives and their sensitivity is unparalleled. Considering their powerful senses, it’s highly feasible to include more canines in the security forces. Today’s security scenario necessitates utilisation of their exemplary bio-sniffers as vital auxiliaries to the fighting arms of forces.–by Dr Anuradha Nema and Dr Vichar Nema
History of canines in security forces
Dogs have been part of security forces since decades now. It was Romans who first trained dogs for close combat. The Russians trained dogs to blow off the enemy tanks. The use of specialist dogs has found a mention in several wars during modern times like Vietnam War, Korean War, Indo-Pak War, etc. In India the training of service dogs was introduced in the year 1943 at Babugarh (UP) and after prolonged efforts a war dog training school was established at Meerut in 1959. At present state police organisations and central police organisations recognise capabilities of dogs and their importance. They run their own training wings to train dog squads. Over the last few years we have seen some exemplary contribution by canines in various security forces.
Strong senses
Their auditory, sniffing, and vision are unmatched to any machinery and incomparable to humans.
- Sense of Smell: 40-45 times more than humans
- Sense of Hearing: 20 times more than humans
- Sense of vision : 10 times more than humans
Training and requirements
Dogs are trained in the following areas to exploit their potential and capabilities.
- Explosive detection
- Mine detection
- Tracker
- Guards
- Infantry patrol
- Search and rescue operations
- Avalanche rescue operations
- Crude oil leakage detection
- Narcotics detection
Dogs as extended arm of security forces
- In narcotics and explosive detection, dogs are deployed at authorised trade and transit routes for monitoring of people, luggage and vehicle carrying contraband, narcotics, psychotropic substance and explosive substances.
- Border patrolling.
- Tracking criminals from their left article. Sterility of area and quick response will lead to higher success rate.
- In counter insurgency and terrorism, operations dogs are effectively utilised in ROP, mine detection and area sanitisation.
Canines are an asset for national security. With proper training they can save lives and make the country proud.
Zanjeer: The brave-heart Labrador Retriever served as a detection dog with Mumbai Police. During the 1993 bombings, he helped recover 11 military bombs, 57 country made bombs, 175 petrol bombs, and 600 detonators. He passed away in 2000 and was buried with full state honor for his impeccable contribution to the nation.
Babu: All India gold medalist of Delhi Police Dog Squad is the perfect example of beauty with brains. He is a four years old Labrador and has become the pride of the entire unit. Babu won the department its first gold medal in the Tracking Test under the Dog Competition event of the 61st All India Police Duty Meet held in Chennai in February this year. And now he is all set to serve the nation!
(Dr Anuradha Nema is Assistant Professor, CVSc & AH, based in Rewa. MP and Dr Vichar Nema is Assistant Commandant based in Bhopal, MP)