New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued draft Qualitative Requirements (QRs) for the breeding stock of Belgian Shepherd (Malinois), which helped US Seals to track Osama bin Laden in 2011 in Pakistan, to get inducted into the country’s central paramilitary forces.
Prepared by the Dog Training School of CRPF, the notification in possession of ETV Bharat has also asked for the interest of industry fraternity and vendors.
Significantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat address also appreciated the role of dogs in protecting national security.
The dog which used to track Osama bin Laden was reportedly either a German Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois.
The Belgian Shepherd is a breed of medium and large-sized herding dogs. It has its origin in Belgium and it is similar to other sheep-herding dogs like Dutch Shepherd, the German Shepherd, and the Briard among others.
"Dogs of this good quality breed have always been playing a big role for India's security establishment by doing anti-sabotage checks, and sniffing explosives," said a senior official in the CRPF.
According to the notification, the male Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) should be more than 2 years and less than 4 years on the date of purchase - sired minimum 3 litres.
A female should be more than 2 years and less than 4 years on the date of purchase- whelped minimum 1 litre.
The supplied dog should not be in-bred. This will be confirmed by examining the pedigree record of the last three generations to be provided by the vendors during PDI.
“We are already having stock and progeny of Malinois procured from Indian breeders, therefore, the dogs to be procured should not be from the same pedigree,” the notification said.
The circular also gave body specification for the dog.
Its colour: Sable (Rich fawn/ mahogany with black-tipped hairs), mask: melanistic (black in colour), ears: erect and triangular shape, body: lean 86 muscular. The back must be straight without any apparent defect.
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It said that coats should be dense, short, flat, straight, shiny and healthy. Temperament should be active, intelligent, alert and energetic. Forelimbs and hind limbs should be parallel. The body should be square. Height should be male: 24" to 26" and female: 22" to 24."
It further said that the dogs must be free from all genetic diseases like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy etc. The dogs must be free from any contagious or infectious diseases such as canine distemper, parainfluenza, parvo-virus, leptospirosis, corona, hepatitis, rabies, herpes, demodicosis and scabies.
The circular said that the dogs must be vaccinated and protected against diseases like canine distemper, parainfluenza, parvo-virus, leptospirosis, corona, hepatitis, rabies, etc. as per global standards.
"Certificate to this effect with details of vaccination in respect of each dog is to be provided by the supplier," the notification said.
All dogs must be subjected to prevalent quarantine norms both in the country of origin as well as in India, in case of import.
"All dogs must be registered with Kennel Club of India (KCI) or with members of Federation Cynologique Internationale (World Canine Organisation) or KNPV/Schutzhund, IPO, IGP in case of imported dogs. Registration certificate of the dogs should be provided by the vendor and the dog must be impregnated with the relevant microchip," it said.
Statistics said that state police forces in India had 1,470 sniffer dogs and 790 tracker dogs and the central armed police forces had 1,702 sniffer dogs and 407 tracker dogs in 2019.
India’s paramilitary forces which already have well-established dog breeding and training centres (DB&TCs) and specialized veterinary officers have been asked to diversify by introducing high-quality breeds like the Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Belgian Shepherd Malinois, among others in its canine units.
“The dogs must be delivered at consignee’s location Dog Breeding and Training School, Taralu, Bangalore (Karnataka) at the risk and cost of the suppliers,” the notification issued by the MHA said.
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