Busting terror, sniffing out Covid: Govt desires safety canines to do extra

From receiving directions on radio frequency units and strolling alone into terror conditions, to detecting an infection with the novel coronavirus and the onset of most cancers, the federal government is taking a look at utilising the potential of safety canines for far more than sniffing and monitoring.
Following the institution of a “Police K9 Cell” within the Police Modernisation Division of the Home Ministry, the federal government has begun an train to carry present capabilities of canine squads as much as worldwide ranges, and to assist the animals purchase new capabilities akin to medical illness prognosis, wildlife safety, and anti-trafficking work in the long term.
Home Minister Amit Shah lately launched the primary “Police K9 Journal” by which greatest practices and modern concepts for enhancing canine squads will probably be mentioned.
“Dogs are a great force multiplier with a proven track record over centuries. Somehow we have not focused on them as much as we should. A recent Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) report said we need 35,000 more dogs. At the same time, our training facilities, modules and care-giving has not fixed even the basics. So we are trying to create an ecosystem where things get standardised, and we can become world-class,” a senior Ministry official mentioned.
The nation’s elite counter-terror drive, the National Security Guard (NSG), has already skilled its canines to stroll alone into an ongoing terror assault or hostage scenario, and relay info again to regulate room and to troopers getting ready to storm the scene. A Motorola hi fi pouch is fastened on the canine’s collar to convey voice instructions when it’s far and out of its handler’s sight.
“This has helped in setting the foundation for getting acquainted/familiarized with the handler’s radio device voice recognition by the K9s and further ease to deploy K9s with K9 Vision System and Canine Remote Deployment System,” the Police K9 Journal says concerning the new tech and coaching.
Col (Dr) PK Chugh, who headed this coaching programme on the NSG and is at the moment Consulting Director on the Police K9 Cell, mentioned the innovation would go a good distance in not solely saving soldier’s lives, however would additionally present essential details about the placement of terrorists or explosive units inside a venue.
“If we look at precedence, most soldier deaths happen in the first burst of fire when we are not aware of the situation inside a building or hideout. In this case, a trained dog with a radio set can go in with his handler passing on directions. The dog can relay back crucial information to the control room or even wrist devices of soldiers who can then storm the place. If a terrorist is sighted, the dog can be instructed to attack him,” Col. Chugh mentioned.
During the 26/11 assaults, one of many challenges that safety forces confronted was the enormity of the Taj Palace Hotel, and the absence of data on the placement of terrorists and IEDs. Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan of the Indian Army, then serving within the NSG, had misplaced his life whereas storming the lodge.
Home Ministry sources mentioned the federal government is at the moment focussed on enhancing the safety capabilities of its canine squads by setting benchmarks, coaching protocols, and pointers; additionally in order that squads throughout the nation have the identical capabilities. This, they mentioned, will assist interoperability and sharing of sources.
“We are also looking at developing dual purpose dogs. Currently most forces have two sets of dogs — sniffers and attackers. But there are breeds such as German shepherd and Belgian malinois, which have both capabilities and can be used for both purposes,” Chugh mentioned.

In the long term, the Ministry additionally plans to develop capabilities akin to disease-detection canine squads. “A model is being developed internationally for even detection of cancer, hypertension, seizures and nervous disorders. They have been successfully detected by dogs. We will certainly catch up to that standard in the long run,” Chugh, who can be a member of the International K9 Working Group for Covid Detection Dogs, mentioned.
Every illness has a risky natural compound (VOC) related to it. The VOCs give a selected odour to physique fluids, which might be detected by canines. Currently that is being accomplished internationally by means of sweat and urine. In the case of Covid, as a consequence of administrative difficulties of gathering urine, physique odour is being relied upon.