Mysuru Police Dog Squads Prove Pivotal in Crime Detection with 984 Cases Solved
In a remarkable demonstration of canine capabilities, police dog squads in Mysuru have emerged as a crucial force in the fight against crime. Over the last five years, these highly trained animals have played a significant role in assisting law enforcement, leading to the detection of hundreds of cases across the region.
Impressive Statistics Revealed in Legislative Assembly
According to data presented by Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara in response to an unstarred question raised by Mandya MLC Madhu G Madegowda, the Mysuru City police dog squad has been instrumental in detecting 291 cases, while the district dog squad contributed to an even more impressive 693 cases. This brings the total number of cases cracked by Mysuru canine units to 984 over the five-year period.
The minister further informed the Legislative Assembly that across Karnataka, police dog squads traced a staggering 2,331 crimes in 2025 alone, highlighting their statewide importance in criminal investigations.
Current Strength and Maintenance Costs
The current operational strength of the police dog squad in Karnataka stands at 274 dogs, though the sanctioned strength is 322 dogs, indicating some vacancies in the canine units. The police department allocates substantial resources for their upkeep, spending approximately Rs 400 per day per dog towards food and maintenance expenses.
Meet the Canine Heroes of Mysuru
The Mysuru City dog squad comprises ten dedicated canine officers: Rashmi, Ganga, Kusha, Raksha, Datta, Krishna, Yodha, Arjuna, and Garuda. Meanwhile, the Mysuru district dog squad fields seven skilled dogs: Browno, Sweeti, Isha, Maina, Ricky, and Hero.
Year-by-Year Performance Analysis
Within Mysuru city limits, the dog squad achieved its highest detection rate in 2021–22, solving 67 cases. Subsequent years saw consistent performance with 57 cases in 2022–23, 60 cases in 2023–24, 61 cases in 2024–25, and 43 cases in 2025–26 (until January).
In Mysuru district, the canine units peaked in 2022–23, helping crack 151 cases—the highest number recorded in the last five years for the district.
Specialized Breeds for Specific Policing Tasks
In his detailed reply, Home Minister Parameshwara explained that different dog breeds are strategically deployed for specific policing purposes:
- German Shepherds and Dobermans are primarily utilized for crime detection and tracking duties.
- Labrador Retrievers and Belgian Malinois are deployed for specialized tasks including explosive detection, narcotics detection, and recovery of bodies.
This specialized approach ensures that each canine unit is optimally equipped to handle the diverse challenges of modern policing, making them indispensable assets in Karnataka's law enforcement infrastructure.
