NEW DELHI, Dec 31: A court of inquiry was ordered by the Border Security Force (BSF) after one of its sniffer dogs “Lalcy” in Meghalaya deployed on the India-Bangladesh international border gave birth to three puppies.
The dogs attached to such crucial service are not supposed to breed or get pregnant as they are usually on duty in high-security zones. They are only allowed to breed under the supervision and advice of the veterinary wing of the force and in this case this apparently did not happen.
The Summary Court of Inquiry (SCOI) by a Deputy Commandant was ordered by the office of the Commandant 170 Battalion, BSF, Dhanakgiri, Tura, Meghalaya. The dogs are under the constant vigil and protection of their handlers.
The order read, “In compliance with station headquarters, BSF Shillong, Ajeet Singh, Deputy Commandant, is hereby detailed to conduct an SCOI to investigate the circumstances under which dog Lalcy (female) of 43 Bn delivered three pups at BOP Baghmara on December 5, 2022, at around 10 am.”
Second to the Indian Army, which has its exclusive dog-training academy, BSF trains all dogs deployed into various wings of the Indian armed forces.
Increasing anxieties about terrorism and insurgencies have forced the Indian government to step up its response.
National Training Centre for Dogs (NTCD) plays a pivotal role with its wide range of training programmes including tracking, explosives detection, mob control, search and rescue, narcotics detection, mine detection and poisonous substance detection. BSF is India’s biggest paramilitary force guarding its vast and porous borders and deploys sniffer dogs for such work.
Last month, Aaranyak, one of India’s leading biodiversity conservation organisations, mourned the passing away of its first K9 unit member, Zorba, a Belgian Malinois breed, immensely instrumental in hunting down poachers in Assam.
It was the first dog in the country to be deployed in anti-poaching duty. Zorba died due to his age and current health issues.
