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Crime
Maharashtra government allows police dogs to stay with force after retirement
✍️ India Today
🗓 23 Aug 2026, 02:03 PM
👁 25
The Maharashtra government has announced that police dogs will be permitted to remain with the state police force for the rest of their lives after they retire from active duty.
The state government of Maharashtra issued a circular authorising retired police dogs to stay attached to the police force for the remainder of their lives. The decision, announced by the Home Department, applies to all K9 units that have completed active service across the state. Officials said the move recognises the animals' contribution to law‑enforcement and aims to provide them with continued care.
Under the new policy, retired dogs will be housed in existing police kennels and receive regular veterinary attention, food and shelter funded by the police budget. Their handlers will continue to oversee their welfare, and the dogs may be called upon for non‑operational duties such as community outreach or ceremonial events.
The initiative aligns Maharashtra with a few other Indian states that have introduced lifetime care schemes for service animals. Authorities hope the measure will boost morale among K9 handlers and set a precedent for humane treatment of working animals in the country.
Under the new policy, retired dogs will be housed in existing police kennels and receive regular veterinary attention, food and shelter funded by the police budget. Their handlers will continue to oversee their welfare, and the dogs may be called upon for non‑operational duties such as community outreach or ceremonial events.
The initiative aligns Maharashtra with a few other Indian states that have introduced lifetime care schemes for service animals. Authorities hope the measure will boost morale among K9 handlers and set a precedent for humane treatment of working animals in the country.