01 January,2022 07:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Vishal Singh
Belgian Malinois Maya and Whiskey with his handler. Pics/Suresh Karkera
Police dog Jessy who helped investigators crack the Dahisar bank robbery in just a few hours is part of a team of canines that has busted many crimes. Since her deputation to the Crime Branch, the Belgian Malinois has helped cops solve murders and sniffed out drugs. The Crime Branch has two more dogs - Whiskey and Maya - who have proved priceless.
DCP Balsing Rajput who heads the Crime Branch's prevention unit, said, "We included Belgian Malinois dogs in the squad in 2019. Belgium Malinois dogs can work long hours a day. They have strong stamina. They are agile." The Malinois dogs are strong, can tolerate inclement weather and adapt to all kinds of jobs. They are highly intelligent apart from being more energetic than other dogs, said officers.
The police have also two Dobermann dogs but they could not cope up with the mounting work pressure of the police force. Officers said they would get tired after four to six hours of work and require frequent rests. In such a situation, Jessy and the other Malinois dogs have helped the force a lot.
"If someone wants to use a Belgian Malinois, it is important to train it carefully to control its instinctive aggression. They have a very good memory and are adapted as police dogs. These dogs are quick to jump high rumbles. They are used in Naxal-affected areas like Gadchiroli, while paramilitary forces also use them," said DCP Rajput.
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The three Malinois dogs were brought when they were 45 days old. Each was then handed over to a handler who stays with them round the clock and is responsible for their safety. Since the dogs grow with their respective handlers, they bond well with them and follow their orders. They are not meant to take listen to any other officers.
The dogs have been trained in Rajasthan to learn running, jumping and sniffing explosives and drugs. An official of the dog squad said they spend R10,000 monthly on each dog's food and medicine.
Whiskey with his handler Kiran Bairagi
On July 6, 2021, there was a theft on the seventh floor of a building in the jurisdiction of Gamdevi police. At the time of the crime, all the members of the house were away from Mumbai. When Whiskey was taken to the spot, he was made to sniff a T-shirt there. Whiskey then took the policemen to the house of a man who worked as a servant in the home of the complainant. At the servant's house, Whiskey smelled another piece of cloth and gave enough indication to the cops to nab him. Whiskey's handler Kiran Bairagi said the dog is very punctual, and they quickly learned each other's gestures.
Maya with her handler Abaji Zite
In 2019, JJ police station got a murder case. She was strangled with a rope. Maya was taken to the crime scene and was made to sniff the rope. She led the police to the accused's house 2 km away. She also helped solve the kidnapping of a one-year-old child in Bandra. A piece of cloth found at the spot where the child was stolen was used to trace the accused. Maya led the cops to Mahim Causeway. With the help of CCTV camera footage, police nabbed the kidnapper and rescued the child.
Jessy with her handler and officers from the dog squad
Jessy is currently the star of the month. She tracked down the Dahisar bank robber with his footwear that was left behind at the crime spot. Jessy sniffed her way to a slum pocket at Rawalpada in Dahisar East and took the investigators to a ground-plus-one structure where the main robber was hiding. "Once Jessy pointed to the house, the officers broke open the door of its mezzanine floor and arrested the accused," said Londe. Recalling Jessy's another show at Dharavi earlier in 2021, Londe said, "There was a fight between two groups in which one person was injured due to firing. The police found a country-made pistol from the spot, but it could not be ascertained who it belonged to. When Jessy was brought to the spot, she didn't point to anyone. After this, when the clothes of the injured person were brought, she smelled them and pointed to him. It was found that the man himself had fired the bullet." Londe added, "My affection for Jessy is so much that I know even the smallest of her troubles."
>> Bomb disposal squad
Labrador: 12 dogs
>> Crime Branch (Preventive)
Belgian Malinois - 3
Dobermann - 2
>> Goregaon Dog Squad for security checks
Belgian Malinois - 3
Labradors - 10
>> 6 am: As soon as they wake up, they are taken to the ground for an hour of exercise
>> 7.30-8: They are fed milk and eggs
>> 1-1.30 pm: Lunchtime (While they are still growing, they are fed cooked meat and once they are fully grown, they are fed high-quality dog food)
>> 4-5 pm: They go for special training
>> 6.30-7 pm: On their return, they are fed milk
>> 8-9 pm: Time for the last meal of the day
