Dog, A Man's best friend

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Do you know that it was a dog that led the police to seize 20 packages of heroin during a raid at a temporary longhouse in Wardieburn, Jalan Genting in Setapak in October last year?

Another police dog by the name of "Panza" had sniffed out the most wanted suspect in Sarawak who was hiding in some thick bushes in Kuching after committing a double murder?

These are among the many real life dramas of successful police work in the country, where the law keepers work side-by-by with man's best friend, which is usually seen as a family pet.

For this reason, the Crime Investigation Department of the Royal Malaysian Police is expanding its Dog Unit dubbed as "K9-JSJ Unit" and is keeping abreast with changing time.

K9-JSJ Operation and Training Officer ASP V. Vignesvaran said the Sept 11 carnage had underscored the importance of crime investigation using the canine.

"Its ability in detecting and other anti-crime work had increased the demand for such dogs," he said, adding that the unit is sourcing for another 30 dogs to beef up its current strength of 126 in the country.

INVESTIGATION AND ANTI-CRIME EFFORT

The unit was previously known as Dog Detection Unit, set up in 1968 under the Technical support unit of the Crime Investigation Department, with the main aim of assisting in investigation and anti-crime effort.

It started when a police officer with the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and six personnel were sent to the United Kingdom for training and returned with six dogs.

Later, series of training for dog handlers were carried out at the Police Training Centre at Semarak Road here, starting with 12-month old canines bought from the U.S. and United Kingdom.

The dog handlers, comprises either the new police recruits or the servicemen would have to undergo a "Kennel Man" course to get acquainted with their four-legged partners which would also be adapted with their supposed duties.

He said the purchase of the dog would undergo a stringent process to ensure that the animals drafted into the unit to be of quality and come from the best breed.

Among the preferred breed were German Shepherd, specially for anti-crime duty, Labrador, Border Collie, Springer Spaniel and Wermarinar, for detection of drugs and explosives, he said.

Dog handling is not easy as it seem, especially the German Shepherd which is known for its aggressive character or violent instinct.

'LOVE BITES'

Vignesvaran said it was common for the trainees to get bitten on their hands or even their thighs during their 16-week training.

"But that is just like 'love bites' or 'welcome greetings' from the animal," he quipped.

He said such 'hazards' would be healed by time once the dog got use to the smell of their handlers, making them good companions.

To dog handler Corporal R. Perumal, such confrontational encounter is nothing more than a "friend's bite."

Perumal, who so far handled three dogs during his 20-year tenure with the unit, had eventually established a bond of friendship that borders on human dimension.

When his dog Alrick, died a slow death in his arms after it was given a lethal injection by a veterinary doctor, due to eye disability, he found himself choked in emotion with tears almost rolling down his cheek.

The Dog Unit is divided into three main teams, each with separate functions -- the multi-purpose team for in anti-crime task, drug, and explosive and fire-arms detection teams.

The general purpose dogs are trained to be more aggressive to meet the tougher tasks of not just combating crimes like housebreaking, murder, anti-crime patrols but also to breakup unruly demonstrations.

The drug detection unit has the dogs in surveillance at the country's exit or entry points like airports, naval ports or other possible spots that could harbour the illegal activities.

Vignesvaran said the explosive and firearm unit was incorporated into the K9-JSJ Unit in 1998 when Malaysia was hosting the world's second largest sporting event, the Commonwealth Games.

ACCOLADE AND RECOGNITION

The Royal Malaysian Police's success in making the prestigious occasion incident-free, received accolade and recognition from the U.S. which donated 30 dogs to the unit.

Its other resounding achievement was a raid at a temporary homes of longhouses at Wardieburn, Jalan Genting, in Setapak here, October last year, when 20 packages of heroin in powder and solid form were hauled out from a suspect.

In another case, Panza, from the Dog Unit in Kuching, managed to lead the arrest of the most wanted suspect hiding behind thick bushes in an escape attempt after committing double murder.

Vignesvaran said like their human kin, dogs at time are also moody and refuse to perform their daily duties.

Their handlers would carry out checks and general cleaning every morning at the kennels of dogs under their supervision to ensure that they were in good health.

"They will check whether the dogs are fit to perform duties and if the animal are not in the mood, they will be kept away from work and ask to rest or play game as a mean to regain their spirit," he said.

He said the animals' fitness was being given proper attention at the unit with their health status being closely monitored regularly.

Dogs that were down with illness, would be taken to the Veterinary Hospital at Cheras here or University Putra Malaysia for further treatment.

He said the dogs would perform a very tight work regime and bound by strict working discipline.

Every morning they would undergo a rigid physical exercise while the dogs assigned for operational duties would be put on alert round the clock.

"The dogs on operational duties will not need undergo the heavy exercise but just light routine to avoid tiredness, by playing around with their handlers," he said.

Vignesvaran said the unit would organise a two-week refresher course at their contingent level and the Police Training Centre here once a year.

This is to keep both the handlers and their dogs up-to-date with the latest techniques in crime-busting and investigation effort.-- BERNAMA