Shillong, Feb 28: The state police’s K-9 unit has grown over the years from just seven dogs to 37 at present.
Informing this at an induction‑and‑retirement parade on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong praised the Meghalaya Police K‑9 Unit as “an indispensable pillar of our security architecture”.
Of the 37-member K-9 unit – enhanced through the DREAM Mission – 10 are trackers, 14 narcotics detectors, 11 explosives detectors and two assault dogs.
“Growth is a necessity, not a luxury,” he said.
Tynsong credited recent successes: explosives detected in East, South and West Garo Hills, heroin worth Rs 5 crore seized in Ri‑Bhoi in 2023, and 691.54 grams recovered in Shillong this year.
“Every detection was a tragedy averted,” he added.
To handlers he said, “You don’t just walk together, you live and breathe the mission together.”
He pledged advanced training and welfare for the canines. “To the dogs retiring today, thank you for your service… to the new inductees, you have big paws to fill.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the programme, Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang said three dogs retired after more than 30 years’ combined service — a Belgian Malinois tracker and two Labradors trained in explosives and narcotics.
Twenty‑four new dogs were inducted, joining six earlier from the DREAM Mission.
“We now have 11 trained for explosives…a bit more for narcotics,” Nongrang said.
“Earlier we used to have K‑9 only in Shillong; now we’re dividing them up all over the state.”
She explained the preference for Belgian Malinois: “longer lifespan…able to adjust” to multiple handlers, unlike German Shepherds.
Handlers trained in Bangalore and bonded during the road trip home.
Each district unit will have explosives, narcotics and tracker dogs, while assault dogs stay with the ATS.
