‘Hero’ cremated with full State honours, gun salute

Policemen recall Hero’s heroic deeds in 10-year service with Dog Squad

Mysore/Mysuru: Hero, the Labrador breed dog that served the Mysuru City Police since 2011, died of age-related ailments yesterday. He was taken into the Police force on Apr. 4, 2011 and was trained at Adugodi Police Dog Training Centre in Bengaluru. Later, he was included in the Dog Squad. 

Hero was used in anti-sabotage checks and considered an ‘expert’ in grasping the scent of culprits and was a nightmare to drug-peddlers as it used to catch their scent from a distance. Training begins at an early age for the dog squad members. The pups are trained for a year at the Police Dog Training Centre and they are specially trained for crime duty, detection of explosives and narcotics. 

Labrador Hero was known for its splendid performance at dog shows and also during mock rehearsals. In the line of duty too, Hero performed well and he was always taken to Mysuru Central Prison to unearth hidden stocks of ganja. He would be at the forefront of the search operations — conducted twice a month — and was successful in sniffing out the weed hidden in barracks. 

Labrador breeds have strong sniffing ability and hence are used in the detection of narcotics and explosives. Their handlers have a tough regimen that begins with daily training from 6 am to 8 am and the dogs are routinely taken to all crime scenes to catch the scent of the criminal. The dogs are also sent to neighbouring districts in case of requirement during emergencies.

Usually a dog lives up to 10 to 12 years and Hero had served the Police force for 10 years and 12 days. So as per the procedure, the Police Department had written to the higher-ups that it was time for Hero to retire as he completed a 10-year service on Apr. 4. However, no order had been received from the higher officers. 

Hero was suffering from a liver-related ailment since the last six months and it died yesterday morning, the dog’s handlers said. It was a poignant moment for  Hero’s handlers and other members of the dog squad as he was cremated with full State honours. As he had not retired from service, a three-round gunfire salute was given to the fallen hero. 

Many Police officers recalled Hero’s heroic deeds. The ceremony was held under the leadership of City Armed Reserve (CAR) DCP Shivaraju, In-charge officer of Dog Squad K.M. Murthy, Inspector Somanna, Srinivas, Sub-Inspector Suresh and other officers.