PDEA hands over 13 retired hero dogs to adopters

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency handed over 13 of its retired narcotic detection dogs (or K9s) to their adopters last Thursday.

Out of the 33 applicants who showed interest to adopt the "hero dogs," only 13 have qualified to take care of them, according to PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino.

Adopters had undergone interviews and screening to determine their capacity to adopt, an important requirement under the Standard Operating Procedure of PDEA K9 Unit.

Some of the adopted dogs were handed over to some PDEA personnel who had expressed interest in taking care of them.

PDEA said 18 K9 dogs have been retired from their service including 14 Belgian Malinois, two Jack Russell Terriers, one German Shepherd, and one Labrador.

Because of aggressive behavior, the two retired Belgian Malinois are not fit for adoption. One of the dogs has not been cleared for adoption due to bad health condition.

Two of the hero dogs’ prospective adopters have no financial capability to maintain them, so the dogs will be taken care of in the PDEA K9 facility with the other three unadopted dogs.

The dogs served in the anti-illegal drug operations of PDEA in jail facilities, search and seizure, interdiction and checkpoints at airports, seaports, and transport terminals nationwide.

Aquino said the PDEA K9 Unit facility is not an ideal place for fostering these hero dogs. They were offered for adoption so that the dogs can have a stress-free environment and loving family that could give them care and attention.

PDEA will conduct periodic monitoring of adopted K9s with their new owners to ensure the hero dogs’ well-being, Aquino added. —Joviland Rita/LBG/KG, GMA News