Too many threats, too few paws

In a city rattled by hoax bomb threats, high-stakes security drills and drug busts, Delhi's most loyal frontline defenders are falling short — not in spirit, but in numbers.

- Jignasa Sinha and Karn Pratap Singh

NEW DELHI:

The Delhi Police dog squad, vital to detecting bombs, tracing suspects, and locating the missing, is operating at just 60% of its sanctioned strength.

With only 64 dogs on duty instead of the required 105, the Capital's canine force is stretched dangerously thin.

The pressure has only intensified since July last year, when the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) came into effect, calling for forensic-led policing across India. In Delhi, where more than 500 hoax bomb threats were recorded in 2024 alone—targeting schools, railway stations, and markets—the demand for trained dogs has skyrocketed. Yet, in six of the city's 15 police districts, dogs are not easily available.