Doggie cool

While you stand in queue under the April sun tomorrow to cast your vote, these dogs from the bomb squad will be chilling in their cooling jackets

With the temperature hovering near 40u00b0C and humidity crossing 80 per cent, it's not just politicians, party workers and cops who are feeling the heat. Police dogs, especially those of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), have also been suffering.



Troubled by their discomfort and the government apathy, a 23-year-old Juhu resident took matters in her own hands. A fortnight ago, Tanur Shah donated six imported cooling jackets for the dogs to beat the heat.
And the gift couldn't have come at a more opportune time. With the elections tomorrow, they are bound to be busy sniffing through polling booths to ensure safe voting.

Constable Kishore Nawar, who handles Prince one of the squad's dogs, said, "During summer, we take great care of the dogs. We used to splash cold water to cool them, but the K-9 cool jacket is a boon. It can maintain their body temperature for over six hours."

Not just jackets

Tanur imported the six jackets from USA. Apart from the jackets, which cost her $60 (Rs 3,000) each, she also donated 100 kg of imported dog food, beddings, fans and shampoos to the BDDS. She raised the funds with donations from family, friends and fellow animal lovers.u00a0

"I am very passionate about animal welfare and the environment. Substantial effort from the government is needed in providing facilities to the dogs at BDDS," said Tanur.

The dog squad, clad in their cool new jackets, will inspect every polling area before voting begins.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Dog force
At present, the BDDS has three male dogs Prince, Caesar and Max and two female dogs Layka and Liya. Four more dogs, who are being trained in Pune at present, will join the force soon.

Temperature
34 to 36u00b0C
Humidity
40 to 50% (in the morning)
80% (by noon)
' Weather forecast for tomorrow according to R V Sharma, deputy director, India Meteorological Department (Western Region)