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Tribune News Service
Mohali, December 12
The Mohali police sniffer dog, Dhoni, who has become a favourite of mediapersons and several local residents for his name (after former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni), is going to retire soon.
The 11-year-old Labrador, an expert in explosive detection, is unwell, frail and unfit to perform duties of detecting explosives, mainly at important sites.
A police official said Dhoni was well past the retirement age. “Age reflects on animals too and Dhoni is no exception. Ideally, he should have retired three-four years ago,” said the official.
Notably, a dog’s average lifespan is between 10 and 12 years. A trained dog like Dhoni can work effectively till the age of eight.
Though cops handling the dog squad were tight-lipped on Dhoni’s retirement, it is learnt that documents for the same have been forwarded to the office of the Punjab DGP.
Mohali SSP Kuldeep Singh Chahal said there was still some time in Dhoni’s retirement.
Dhoni has already served the district police for 10 years. Sources said Dhoni was three months old when brought here. After completion of training at Phillaur, he has been serving the district police.
During international and IPL cricket matches, it is Dhoni’s job to inspect the entire PCA stadium for any explosive substance. Besides, he had been checking the Chandigarh international airport at Mohali regularly.
Dhoni has been given two attendants, a room at the Phase VIII police station and a vehicle for his transportation. “The entire expenditure on his food, medical and other things is borne by the police department,” said the police.
No police official came on record to confirm whether Dhoni would be kept by the department after his formal retirement or auctioned or adopted.
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