• In their new homes these dogs might not await to be rewarded as in the past. But these animals are assured of receiving the love and affection of their new owners

The weekend was a day of separation for the well trained canine detectives who had served the Sri Lanka Police faithfully. It was also a day when the Police made much revenue through the sale of its canine detectives. They had served the department during a period of over ten years and helped in detecting crime and saving children.  

It was a sad day for the dog handlers and a joy to those who bought  these trained dogs. There is no immediate need to fill the voids left by these dogs who left the department. As many as 25 dogs who had done yeoman serviced to the Police Kennels and to society bid adieu to the department.

According to Chief Inspector Rajapakse, who is the Media spokesman, the new owners have made a commitment to offer their love in loads to these dogs. 

In their new homes these dogs might not await to be rewarded as in the past. But these animals are assured of receiving the love and affection of their new owners. 

It was evident that these canine detectives were eager to jump in to vehicles of their new owners move to their new locations. It also suggests that these dogs were a bit jaded due to following a rigid schedule.

Sri Lanka Police Kennels celebrates its 71st year. The foundation was laid for this department in 1949. The first of the canines were from the Royal Air Force, stationed at Katunayake. That was in the year 1949. Sri Lanka Kennels was shifted to the present site at Asgiriya which was formerly the farm of Trinty College. From there onward kennels were developed to the present standard.

The first canines were Sheba and Rex, handled by Police Constables Armstrong and Burtus. The establishment of the kennels is the brainchild of Sir Richard Aluvihare who had witnessed the Army life. He was engaged in the Boer war. He became the first Ceylonese Inspector General of Police after Colonel P.N.Banks. He was appointed as Inspector General of Police by Late Prime Minister D.S.Senanayake.  Many in the Police, who were well-trained men in their own fields, thought that Sir Richard would not fit into the ‘ shoes ‘ of a Policeman.

Firstly Sir Richard had a housing scheme for the policemen with the help of Late Prime Minister D.S.Senanayake. Then he took out the word ‘Force’ and replaced it with ‘Service’. Then he established this arm in the service. Then he established the Women Police Service and brought in new innovations in keeping with the needs of the era. 

The largest number of canine detectives that were brought into the country was in 2011 amounting to 100. At present there are 75 canine detectives in the kennels with around 12 puppies. These puppies are one to two years old and would be trained in due course, according to Chief Inspector Rajapakse.

The word canine sleuths derived from the word canine investigators as they were known in 1872. These canine sleuths have 330 million cells for smelling while humans have only 6 million. The other difference is that they have pheromones or smelling buds which differs from one human to another, and these differ like fingerprints. It is with these devices that the canine sleuths are able to track offenders.

There is also a move to bring new breeds into the Police Kennels service. This department is handled by the Police Headquarters.

The present Director at the Kennels is Acting Director Anura Delpagoda.

Unlike in the initial stages there is an in-house veterinarian and those canines who cannot be treated there are taken to the Faculty of Veterinary Science and Medicine at the University of Peradeniya.