From flood-hit areas to crime scenes, Nepal’s police dogs sniff out vital clues
Summary
Nepal Police dogs are playing a growing role in disaster searches and criminal investigations, with Leo the Labrador earning an award after helping locate bodies in the Bhotekoshi flood area. The canine unit is now used across airports, border crossings and serious crime scenes nationwide.
Key Points
- Leo, a Labrador retriever in the Nepal Police Canine Office, helped search flood-hit areas after the Bhotekoshi floods and found two bodies, a skeleton and body parts in Nuwakot.
- The police canine unit now has 107 trained dogs deployed for tracking suspects, detecting explosives and narcotics, and search-and-rescue work.
- Police say trained dogs have become increasingly important in serious criminal investigations, though weather and scene conditions can limit their effectiveness.
- The force has formal training, health checks and retirement procedures for service dogs, and it has used dogs in investigations since 1969.
