Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Retired Police Dogs To Stay With Handlers For Life
Maharashtra’s police dogs usually stop working after 10 years.
Before this decision, they were sent to new homes for adoption.
The new plan lets them stay with the police force and the handlers they know.
The government will pay for their food, medicine and daily care.
Officials said moving to unfamiliar places could make some dogs very upset.
Some retired dogs reportedly stopped eating after being separated from their handlers.
The dogs will no longer perform police duties.
They can spend the rest of their lives in a familiar place, generally for about one to one-and-a-half years after retirement.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed Maharashtra to keep retired police dogs with the force and their handlers.
Dogs will retire from operational duties after completing 10 years of service.
The Home Department will fund their food, healthcare, medical treatment and other upkeep until death.
The arrangement replaces the previous practice of placing retired dogs with suitable outside adopters.
Officials said separation from handlers and familiar surroundings caused distress, with some dogs reportedly refusing to eat.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Maharashtra Police and the state Home Department are involved; the policy concerns retired police dogs and their handlers.
- What
- Police dogs will retire from operational duties after 10 years but remain with the police force and their handlers under state-funded lifetime care.
- When
- Fadnavis announced the decision on Saturday, with officials and PTI-based reports describing it on Sunday; one report carried an August 23 dateline, but the year was unspecified.
- Where
- Within police establishments in Maharashtra, including the familiar environments where the dogs served.
- Why
- A Home Department report found that some retired dogs struggled after separation from their handlers and familiar surroundings, with some reportedly refusing food.
- Announced by
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
- Retirement point
- After 10 years of service
- Post-retirement arrangement
- Dogs will remain with the police force and their respective handlers
- Funding authority
- Maharashtra Home Department
- Covered expenses
- Food, nutrition, healthcare, medical treatment and other upkeep
- Previous arrangement
- Retired dogs were placed with suitable outside adopters
- Reported remaining lifespan
- Generally about one to one-and-a-half years after completing 10 years of service
Sources
Maharashtra To Let Retired Police Dogs Stay With Handlers At State Expense
Maharashtra police dogs to spend retirement with their handlers
No more adoption homes: Retired police dogs to remain with force in Maharashtra
Maharashtra government To Retain Retired Police Dogs
No adoption homes: Maharashtra allows retired police dogs to stay with security force for life
