5 dogs graduate from Police Unit

Five Fiji Police dogs graduated today with their certificate of attainment in canine training at the Nasova Dog Unit in Nasova.

Canine Troy, Canine Shirley, Canine Dave, Canine Oscar and Canine Diana graduated after 16 weeks of intensive training which included criminal walk, confidence building and obstacle exercise.

Speaking at the graduation, Police Commissioner Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua said most of us do not see the importance animals play in our lives saying they have capabilities to help us ensure the safety and security of our nation.

He said they will contribute to achieve the Force’s mission and vision to become the force for the nation by 2014.

“The force is targeting 150 dogs by the next two years,” Brig Gen Ioane Naivalurua said.

Inspector Patrick Allen Low of the Dog Unit said they train Doberman and German Shepherds and they currently 15 operational dogs and 13 puppies are in their care

“There are some challenges we face such as logistics supply, finance, and sometimes food but we are surviving with little resources we have.”

He said police dogs have been very useful in their operations and in some cases, helped them make direct arrests.

The force has been working with the dogs unit for over 50 years.

By Ropate Valemei