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Top police dogs fetch high prices at auction in Kandy
Twenty-five dogs belonging to the Police Kennels Division, who actively participated in raids and detections, were auctioned in Kandy yesterday.
Breath with his new owner
Two-year-old Breath, a Labrador trained to seize narcotics by the Asgiriya Official Canine Headquarters, was sold for Rs. 110,000, the highest price ever paid for a Police dog at an auction.
Hemantha Wedikkara, a resident of Kandy said he bought Breath for the protection of his children and to have it as a pet.
Police dogs who have served in various parts of the country for more than 10 years in the official dog division affiliated to the Sri Lanka Police were purchased at their retirement.
Asgiriya Official Canine Headquarters, Chief Inspector Kulasekara said, that the majority of the dogs were imported from the Netherlands when they were young. It costs more than one million rupees to import a well-bred dog.”
These dogs are trained in narcotics detection and tracking, and are also specialised in de-mining. They are handed over to the new owners following an auction after their retirement. Those interested in adopting them have to bid for them. Even though many are keen to adopt a Police dog, to qualify, they must meet several requirements.
The Asgiriya Official Canine Headquarters has said that auctioning off these dogs to new owners could result in separation grief. There have been requests to allow them to live with those who have cared for them through the years.