Audit poser — how to identify look-alike police dogs, horses

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 13

The audit report of the Chandigarh Police has pointed out non-observance of a mode to identify dogs and horses recruited by them.

In the audit report released recently, the police department has been questioned over the mode to ascertain the authenticity of nine dogs and 41 horses, which bear a strong resemblance with each other.

The audit report reads that the dogs are purchased from various sources and are utilised as explosive sniffers and trackers. There are presently nine canines in the dog squad — all are of the Ladrador breed and aged between one year and seven months and nine years.

The report mentions that the scrutiny of the police records revealed that the files of dogs didn’t carry information about the arrival of dog in the squad, name of the dog master etc.

The audit team observed that a further scrutiny revealed that more than one dog is of the same colour, age and complexion and have a strong resemblance. But since there is no record of their blood group, birth sign for identification mark or any other vital clue to differentiate one dog from another, it may be elucidated to the audit department the mode of identifying the authenticity of dogs purchased by the police department, reads the report.

A similar observation was made in the case of 41 horses that are part of the Mounted Police.

The audit report mentions that a separate file of each horse was being maintained with vital details but the stock register of the horses, which is required to be maintained and periodically physically verified by the competent authority, was not maintained in the unit. The report observed that more than one horse is of the same age and complexion and there is a strong resemblance among them. The mode of identifying the authenticity of the horse actually belonging to the unit and purchased by the police department should be elucidated to the audit department.