Dog squad strengthened to curb narcotics in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam is the first city in Andhra Pradesh to deploy 21 trained police dogs, City Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi announced on Monday.

At the inauguration of newly built kennels, along with Mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao, the Commissioner said the canines would help curb ganja smuggling and improve public safety. The squad includes two trackers, six trained in explosives detection, and 13 in narcotics. They will also be deployed during VVIP visits, large gatherings, and crime investigations.

District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad sponsored five dogs, while the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) contributed three and built kennels at Rs 18 lakh. With the recruits, the squad now has 18 operational canines, supported by 26 handlers. One of them, Lyka, a narcotics dog from Visakhapatnam, topped the State-level training programme.

The Commissioner highlighted past successes, noting that the dogs helped seize 11 kg of ganja at the railway station in October and 30 kg near Gate No. 5 in November. He urged handlers to care for the animals, calling them “partners in safeguarding the city.”

Mayor Srinivasa Rao stressed the dogs’ role in bomb detection and VIP security. He also announced plans to expand surveillance on Beach Road with more CCTV cameras to improve safety for citizens and tourists.

All squad members are vaccinated against rabies, canine coronavirus, and other infections. Senior police officials, kennel staff, and Armed Reserve personnel attended the programme.