State's cutest cops! Beagles sniff out explosives – and social media fame

THE Kerala Police's K9 squad has found unlikely stars in its beagle unit.

- LAKSHMI ATHIRA @Kannur

The five female beagles, trained to detect explosives, have become instant crowd-pullers-both at inspection points and on social media.

Unlike the usual intimidating image of police dogs, these floppy-eared officers have charmed the public with their petite size and playful demeanor. Leading the pack is 'Lovely' from the Kannur K9 force, now affectionately known as Cute Lovely. She has become a selfie magnet, drawing admirers wherever she is deployed.

Compact and efficient, beagles are primarily assigned to detect explosives at airports and inside aircraft. Kerala currently has beagle units in Ernakulam City, Ernakulam Rural, Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, and Kannur.