The Odisha forest department has decided to deploy sniffer dogs to combat the rising trend of wild crime in the state.

In the first phase, it has decided to float a tender to procure 10 sniffer dogs.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and Chief Wild Life Warden) Susanta Nanda has asked the Divisional Forest Officers of Angul, Dhenkanal, Hirakud (Wild Life), Balasore (Wild Life) and Baripada Division to start the tender process to get the sniffer dogs.

Worthwhile to mention that more than 6,900 poachers were arrested for killing
and trafficking 2,869 wildlife animals during the last 10 years.

The department said the sniffer dogs would be deployed in various forests and wildlife divisions to enhance the capabilities of the department in the detection of offenders and contraband. The department has decided to procure a dog breed of Belgian Malinois with a known pedigree. It will be procured in the age group between 12 months to 18 months.

According to officials, it will be trained to detect wildlife contraband like RBT skin, leopard skin, elephant tuskers, wild meat, guns, explosives snares, electric wires set for electrocution of wild animals, poison used to kill wild animals and crude bombs or any other items.

The officials will ensure that the dog is trained in scent detection to identify and track wildlife, including injured or trapped animals, within the forest or the reserve.

“The dog shall be able to track poachers by following their walking trail,” the officials said.

The forest department has made it clear that those bidders who have at least 10 years of experience in supplying trained sniffer dogs and have a minimum turnover of ₹1 crore every year in the last three years, can participate in the tender process. The bidder or vendor shall have experience in training handlers of government agencies in India or abroad.

To get good quality dogs, the forest department has said that all dogs must be registered with the Kennel Club of India or a similar organised body In India.

“All original certificates with a known pedigree of at least three generations should be provided and a matching microchip shall be implanted in the dog,” said the order, adding that the certificate should mandatorily mention the date of birth, microchip number and breed name.

It has also made it clear that all dogs must undergo a competency standard assessment test, set by the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO), National Search and Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA) or equivalent, and must have a certification of competency.

The handler and assistant handler selected by the forest division will undergo at least two-week training programmes at the vendor’s location to bond with and learn to handle the dogs.