Retired PNP detection dogs up for adoption

Three retired explosive detection dogs of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) have been put up for adoption after almost a decade of service.

In a "Balitanghali" report on Thursday, the SAF said they will not be able to care for the elderly dogs as they will be handling 15 successors that are currently undergoing training.

“Kami po may kakayahan, pero nasa trabaho kami lagi,” K9 PNP-SAF Company Commander Police Major Joy Cabusi said in Mark Salazar's report on "24 Oras."

Just like their handlers, the retiring K9 units are veterans of several disasters and catastrophes.

Nick, a 10-year-old German Shepherd, was assigned to the 2015 APEC Summit and the Bangsamoro Plebiscite in 2017, and also actively served in Zamboanga and Jolo, Sulu.

“Nagkasakit 'yan si Nick that time, mahirap ang vet kaya tinawid ko siya ng Zamboanga. Blessing in disguise, pagkatawid namin nangyari sa pwesto namin ang bombing incident,” said his handler, Police Master Sergeant Rogelio Daculan

Labrador retriever Casper, 12, bid goodbye to his handler, who had cared for a dog that died of old age.

Labrador Snow, 13, is finally retiring after going through the 2013 Zamboanga Siege and losing her first handler to illness.

The SAF said that 200 people have already expressed interest in adopting the retiring K9 dogs. They are currently screening the applicants to determine who would be the best option to care for their retired canine colleagues.— Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News